Painting the Streets with Color and Life: Come Join Kobe Matsuri 2025!
- Narelle Katsumoto
- 5 日前
- 読了時間: 3分
Kobe Matsuri 2025
If you’re looking for a fun, heartwarming, and unforgettable cultural experience in Japan this spring, make sure to mark your calendar for Sunday, May 18, 2025. That’s when the Kobe Festival, the city’s biggest annual event, will light up the streets with music, dance, parades, and community spirit! Kobe Matsuri 2025
Held every third Sunday of May, the Kobe Festival isn’t just a modern event—it’s a celebration rooted in the city's past. Though it officially started in 1971, its story stretches back much further, all the way to the Minato no Matsuri (Port Festival) in 1933. That earlier festival was born in difficult times, inspired by Portland’s Rose Festival in the U.S. It was created by the citizens themselves to lift spirits with parades, flower-adorned trams, and even a 'Port Queen' coronation.
Sadly, the joyful elements had to stop during World War II, and only religious parts of the event continued. But in 1948, the people of Kobe brought the celebrations back to life. A few years later, in 1967, the city held another big event—the Kobe Carnival—to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its port. These two events eventually merged to create the Kobe Festival we know and love today.
Each year, the festival embraces a new theme—but this year is especially significant. It marks the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which devastated the city in 1995. Although the festival was canceled that year, it returned in 1996 with a powerful message of hope. That spirit lives on in 2025.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
Opening Ceremony on Flower Road – 11:00 a.m.
The day kicks off with a touching group performance of “Shiawase Hakoberu Youni (しあわせ運べるように)”—a song of recovery written by a local schoolteacher after the 1995 earthquake. It’s a powerful way to remember the past while celebrating how far the city has come. Festival-goers are welcome to sing along!
Massive Dance Performance – 11:20 a.m.
Shortly after the opening, around 600 dancers from the Kobe City Women’s Organizations Council will take the stage in a dazzling group performance, filling the street with movement and joy.
Grand Parade – Starts at 12:00 p.m.
The highlight of the day! The parade stretches for one kilometer along Flower Road (フラワーロード) to Sannomiya Chuo Dori (三宮中央通り). Expect vibrant samba dancers, marching bands, baton twirlers, and more!
Food & Festival Markets
Starting at 11:00 a.m., festival markets will pop up along Flower Road (フラワーロード), the Kobe Former Settelment area (旧居留地), and throughout Higashiyuenchi park (東遊園地). You’ll find tasty street food, unique local products, and even international booths celebrating the global reach of Kobe Airport. It’s the perfect chance to snack and shop your way through the city!
More Fun Around the City
The excitement doesn’t stop at the parade. Nearby parks and streets will host:
Stage shows and sports activities in Higashi Yuenchi Park, including appearances by Kobe’s local sports teams.
COMING KOBE25, a charity rock concert in Meriken Park with 100 bands, plus booths for disaster relief and local goods.
KOBE ART MARCHÉ 2025, Japan’s only hotel-based contemporary art fair, held at the Meriken Park Oriental Hotel.
Kobe Flea Market, featuring antiques and handmade goods at the Fishdance Music Practice Space.
Kamikosu!, a colorful cosplay event on Higashimachisuji Street.
So come join the fun on May 18, 2025! Bring your friends, your family, and your camera—Kobe is ready to celebrate, and you’re invited!
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