A summer festival where dances, processions, and fireworks by the sea bring Shimizu Port to life
Shimizu Minato Festival
The 2026 edition of Shimizu Minato Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/31 〜 2026/08/02Ended
- Season / frequency
- For 3 days, from Friday through Sunday of the first week of August / Every year
- Location
- Shimizu Satsuki-dori, Hinode Pier, Shimizu Marine Park, and other locations
- Area
- Shizuoka Prefecture・Shizuoka City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h–1 h 30 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
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This summer festival in Shizuoka City features the Minato Kappore Sō-odori, the Jirochō Procession, a procession, a marine fireworks display, and more, centered around Shimizu Port.
About Shimizu Minato Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Halowand File:Mikoshi in S-pulse dream plaza.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Halowand File:Shimizu minato matsuri Jirochō Dōchū 02.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Shimizu Minato Festival is a port festival in Shizuoka City held to coincide with the anniversary of the opening of Shimizu Port.
Dances, processions, mikoshi, and a marine fireworks display take place at venues including Shimizu Satsuki-dori, Hinode Pier, and Shimizu Marine Park.
The festival began as an effort to revitalize Shimizu after the war and remains a much-loved summer community event.
Source: 清水みなと祭り - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the “Minato Kappore Sō-odori,” a large group dance held along Satsuki-dori in central Shimizu Ward.
Many dancers take part on the 1st and 2nd days, performing several Kappore songs.
In the Jirochō Procession, a group dressed in period costumes parades through the streets, incorporating hand dances, speeches, and short skits. The marine fireworks display takes place at Hinode Pier on the final day.
A summer festival where dances, processions, and fireworks by the sea bring Shimizu Port to life
What to expect
The festival lasts 3 days. On the 1st day, events include a prayer for success, a Kappore dedication performance, a music parade, dancing, and the Sō-odori.
On the 2nd day, events are scheduled to include the Jirochō Procession, Shimizu Marine Festa, and the Sō-odori. On the 3rd day, events include a mikoshi procession, performances of traditional arts, the Umi no Hiroba, various exhibitions, and the marine fireworks display.
Exhibitions and public displays involving the Self-Defense Forces and Japan Coast Guard are also featured at Hinode Pier.
How to take part
Events inviting members of the public to take part include the Jirochō Procession, the mikoshi procession, a Japanese trial workshop, and new groups for the Minato Kappore Sō-odori.
Performers for the Jirochō Procession are recruited through an open call, and new groups wishing to join the Sō-odori are also being recruited.
This festival is not just for spectators; you can take part by checking the recruitment details for each event.
For 2026, calls are listed for participants in the Jirochō Procession, a Japanese taiko trial workshop, the mikoshi procession, new groups for the Minato Kappore Sō-odori, and members of the organizing committee.
The Jirochō Procession, mikoshi procession, and other events have separate recruitment pages, so check the information for the activity you wish to join and apply.
Stallholders in the Hinode district are also being recruited, with applications scheduled to be accepted from May 25 to June 5.
Source: 清水みなと祭り 公式ホームページ
Location and access
- Venue and address
Shimizu Satsuki-dori, Hinode Pier, Shimizu Marine Park, and other locations.
The 2026 marine fireworks display was listed as scheduled to take place at Hinode Pier.
- Train and bus
The nearest stations are JR Shimizu Station and Shizutetsu Shin-Shimizu Station.
Source: 清水みなと祭り 公式ホームページ
Event venue 静岡県静岡市 清水さつき通り
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
2026 event information (the dates listed have passed)
The 77th Shimizu Minato Festival in 2026 is scheduled to run from July 31 to August 2.
The marine fireworks display is scheduled for the final day, August 2, at Hinode Pier.
The fireworks viewing area will close temporarily from 3 p.m. for preparations, with re-entry scheduled from 5:30 p.m.
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 Shizuoka Prefecture / Shizuoka City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
At the 2026 fireworks display over the water, the apron area of Hinode Pier will be closed to entry from 3 p.m. for fireworks preparations. You will not be able to enter again until 5:30 p.m.
You also cannot reserve a spot before 3 p.m., so please avoid securing a viewing spot early.
For events other than the fireworks display, check the times and venues in the relevant recruitment notices and event announcements before heading out.
Nearby attractions
久能山東照宮
静岡市駿河区にある神社
静岡市歴史博物館
静岡市の博物館
Shizuoka Sengen Shrine
静岡県静岡市にある神社
写真：Yoshizumi Endo from Tokyo, JAPAN / CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo source ·
静岡県立美術館
静岡県静岡市にある美術館
写真：江戸村のとくぞう (Edomura no Tokuzo) / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo source ·
駿府城
静岡市にあった城
Origins and History of Shimizu Minato Festival
The Shimizu Minato Festival began when business leaders centered around Shimizu Port appealed to the former Shimizu City and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, hoping to rebuild Shimizu—which had been devastated by wartime air raids—and revitalize the town.
The 1st festival was held in 1947, and it has been held every year since, except in 2020 and 2021.
The Jirochō Procession was started by the local Jirochō-dori Shopping Association from the 5th festival onward and continues as a traditional event today.
Official information
Official information is available on the Shimizu Minato Festival official website.
Information is posted about the 2026 marine fireworks display, various calls for participants, stallholder recruitment, and more.
Shimizu Minato Festival at a Glance
The Shimizu Minato Festival is a summer festival in Shizuoka City where visitors can enjoy dances, processions, mikoshi, exhibitions, and fireworks against the backdrop of Shimizu Port.
Among the major highlights are the Minato Kappore Sō-odori on Shimizu Satsuki-dori, the Jirochō Procession, in which a group in costume parades through the streets, and the marine fireworks display at Hinode Pier.
The 2026 festival is scheduled to run from July 31 to August 2.
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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