The whole city gets involved in this festival! There are parades and performances on the streets, and the vibe is super lively. Tons of people everywhere. There are lots of food stalls, so you can snack while you walk around—it really feels like a street fair. Compared to traditional small festivals, this one is more like a big carnival. If you want to experience Kobe's energy and take some fun, lively photos, it's definitely worth checking out at least once.
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Kobe Festival
A large-scale, citizen-participation festival held throughout the Sannomiya area.
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Kobe Festival began in 1971 through the merger of the Minato no Matsuri, which originated in 1933, and the Kobe Carnival, first held in 1967 as its eve-of-festival celebration. The event takes place every year on the third Sunday of May and is a large-scale, citizen-participation festival featuring a wide variety of activities.
The main highlight is the Omatsuri Parade, which fills the streets of Sannomiya with color and energy. Carefully selected groups march along the route, performing marching band music, baton twirling, samba, and more. Another spectacular sight is the Mass Dance, with around 600 participants moving in unison. Throughout the area, multiple stages host performances ranging from dance and jazz to traditional and ethnic dances.
Visitors can also enjoy the “Oh!san Shopping Street,” where local foods and specialty products are sold, making it a great place to sample regional flavors and shop for souvenirs.
Highlights
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A citizen-participation festival held every May.
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The Omatsuri Parade, featuring many marching groups, is a major highlight.
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The Mass Dance with around 600 participants is especially impressive.
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A wide variety of stage performances are also held.
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Local specialties and regional products are available for purchase.
Photos
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A vibrant samba parade
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A wide variety of stage performances
Reviews
1
Some reviews are AI-translated.
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 神戸まつり
- Postal Code
- 651-0087
- Location
- Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo (Sannomiya Former Foreign Settlement & Waterfront Area)
- Telephone
- 078-331-2413
- Schedule
- 3rd Sunday of May
- Access
- A short walk from JR Kobe Line’s Sannomiya Station.
- Official Website
- Official Website (Japanese)