Tako Matsuri is the Giant Kite Festival in the city of Hamamatsu, held annually on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of May in Nakatajima, near Enshuhama beach, the Kite Festival is organized in conjunction with Hamamatsu Matsuri (on the streets of city center) and attracts around 1.5 million people.
The Hamamatsu festival has the meaning of celebrating the birth of the firstborn (the first male child). Legend has it that in the 16th century the ruler of Hamamatsu flew a kite to celebrate the birth of his first son.
The tradition continues to this day, first flying smaller kites (Hatsudako) in honor of newborns. After that, the battle between more than 173 kites begins, each with the symbol of the neighborhoods in the city of Hamamatsu.
The kites are also known as Machijirushi (町印) because they have the symbol of the neighborhood they represent drawn on their bodies. In Hamamatsu there are 173 kites, each one representing its district, neighborhood, village or community.
- Location: Hamamatsu / Shizuoka.
- Festival: May 3rd, 4th and 5th (annually).
- Nakatajima Giant Kite Festival: From 10:00 to 15:00.
- City Center Parade of Floats (Goten Yatai Floats): From 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
Note: Visit the Giant Kite Festival Pavilion (Tako Matsuri).
Kite Festival (Takoage Field): Shizuoka Hamamatsu Minami ku Shirowa cho 2676
Parade of Floats: Shizuoka Hamamatsu Chui ku Asahicho