A summer festival of international food stalls and lanterns by Kobe Port
Kobe Love Port Minato Matsuri
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Event status
- Cancelled
- Season / frequency
- Marine Day around July 20 / Every year
- Area
- Hyogo Prefecture・Kobe City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 40 min–3 h 10 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Kobe Love Port Minato Matsuri began in 2002 as a summer festival in Kobe, and has featured international food stalls and lantern displays at Meriken Park. The festival is not being held in 2026.
About Kobe Love Port Minato Matsuri
Kobe Love Port Minato Matsuri was started by the Kobe Junior Chamber, with the hope that it would take root in the community as a summer festival in Kobe.
A major feature was the “International Food Stalls,” where restaurants in Kobe served dishes from around the world.
The venue, Meriken Park, faces Kobe Port, and the festival has highlighted both Kobe’s local character and its international flavor.
Festival highlights
One of the highlights is the “International Food Stalls,” featuring cuisine that reflects Kobe’s character as an international city.
Stalls serving dishes from around the world lined the venue, offering visitors a chance to experience diverse cultures through food.
Also, from 2003, the “Dream Lantern Festival,” with lanterns displayed at Meriken Park, became a signature feature that brightened the venue.
A summer festival of international food stalls and lanterns by Kobe Port
What to expect
Visitors typically spent their time browsing the international food stalls run by restaurants and enjoying dishes from around the world.
During the festival, lanterns were displayed at Meriken Park, helping create the atmosphere alongside the food stalls.
Some years have also featured live performances and shows. In fiscal 2005, a stage program featuring entertainers was held.
How to take part
The festival is not being held in 2026, so no activities for participants to join have been announced.
At past events, visitors could take part by enjoying food from the international food stalls and viewing the lanterns displayed around the venue.
Information about performer recruitment and eligibility for individual activities varies by year.
As the festival is not being held in 2026, no information on how to take part is available.
At past events, the usual way to take part was to visit the venue as a guest and enjoy the international food stalls.
How to apply to perform or take part in special events, and whether applications are being accepted, should be checked in the information for the year the festival is held.
Location and access
- Address
Kobe City
Host municipality 兵庫県神戸市
This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.
Dates and season
It has traditionally been held around Marine Day, which falls around July 20.
The festival is not being held in 2026.
Therefore, no date or event period has been set for 2026.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Hyogo Prefecture / Kobe City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As the festival is not being held in 2026, there are no visitor precautions or on-the-day information.
At past events, food stalls and lanterns were set up at Meriken Park.
If a future event is confirmed, details about the venue layout, activities, and visitor information will be provided anew.
Nearby attractions
人と防災未来センター
兵庫県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
兵庫県立美術館
兵庫県神戸市「HAT神戸」にある美術館
布引ハーブ園
兵庫県の公園・庭園のスポットです。
生田神社
神戸市中央区にある神社
白鶴美術館
兵庫県神戸市東灘区にある美術館
写真：Original uploader was 663highland at ja.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·
神戸どうぶつ王国
兵庫県の公園・庭園のスポットです。
神戸ポートタワー
神戸港にあるタワー
神戸市立博物館
神戸市中央区京町にある博物館
神戸市立小磯記念美術館
神戸市東灘区にある美術館
Origins and History of Kobe Love Port Minato Matsuri
The festival began in 2002, initiated by the Kobe Junior Chamber, with the aim of creating a summer festival in Kobe to rival the Gion and Tenjin festivals.
From the first event, it was organized by a committee within the same Junior Chamber.
The “Dream Lantern Festival” began in 2003. In fiscal 2005, the festival ran for 3 days in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the earthquake, with live performances and shows.
Official information
The official website posts information about Kobe Love Port Minato Matsuri and announcements from the organizing committee.
The festival is not being held in 2026, so check the official website for any announcements about a future event or the continuation of the project.
Source: minatomatsuri.jp
Kobe Love Port Minato Matsuri at a Glance
Kobe Love Port Minato Matsuri is a summer festival in Kobe started by the Kobe Junior Chamber, known for its international food stalls and lanterns at Meriken Park.
It began in 2002, and from 2003 the “Dream Lantern Festival” also added color to the venue.
The festival is not being held in 2026, so no event dates or visitor information are available.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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