Hiroshima Flower Festival

The Hiroshima Flower Festival returns, full force, to Hiroshima Peace Boulevard in its usual Golden Week slot for the first time since the pandemic.

Hiroshima’s biggest annual event, drawing in many more people than even the August 6 memorial day, the annual Flower Festival was inspired by the celebrations that followed the Hiroshima Carp’s first championship in 1975. Crowded, noisy, high in kitsch and overtly commercial, it does, however, pull in tens of thousands of people from near and far, and many of them do seem to have a pretty good time.

In addition to all the parades, pop bands, tarento celebrities, comedians and hundreds of local hula clubs performing, there are opportunities to watch some local kagura dance troupes. The craft beer and the local sake tents and the international food area, also get pretty lively. But, frankly, there is so much going on, and the program is almost indecipherable, so your best bet is to dive in, wander and see you what you come across. Or, find yourself a shady spot and enjoy a drink and something on a stick watch the crowds go by.

Usually, the city streets are deserted once the stages have closed up, but organizers are continuing to try and provide appropriate entertainment all day. In the evenings in the Peace Memorial Park area, the Peace Flower Project event is being held nightly between 6 and 9pm with all the beautiful lights and candles on display.

2024 Flower Festival Main events

May 3
Flower Festival Parade 11:00
Skate World 12:00-19:00
Peace Flower Project Illuminations18:00-21:00
 

May 4:

City center athletics 14:00
Flower Festival Parade 11:00
Skate World 12:00-19:00
Peace Flower Project Illuminations18:00-21:00

May 5
 
Yosakoi dance parade (Peace Boulevard) 11:00
Flower Festival Parade 11:00
Skate World 12:00-19:00
Peace Flower Project Illuminations 18:00-20:00