Hiroshima Flower Festival
By far Hiroshima’s biggest street festival, Hiroshima Flower Festival is a huge event that takes over the area along Peace Boulevard for 3 days of the annual Golden Week holiday.
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, draw in tens of thousands of people from near and far, and many of them appear 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 local sake tents, as well as 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 what you come across. Or, find a shady spot and enjoy a drink and something on a stick, watching the crowds go by.
Usually, the city streets are deserted once the stages have closed, but organizers continue to try to provide appropriate entertainment all day. In the evenings, the Peace Flower Project event is held nightly in the Peace Memorial Park area, with all the beautiful lights and candles on display between 6 and 9 pm.
2025 Flower Festival Main Event Schedule
May 3
Flower Festival Parade 11:00
Skate World 12:00-19:00
Peace Flower Project Illuminations 18:00-21:00
May 4:
Hiroshima Street Athletics Plus 14:00-15:40
Top-class athlete demonstrate their skills and visitors have the chance to try out some cool sports on a special stretch of track on Hiroshima Peace Boulevard.
Skate World 12:00-19:00
Peace Flower Project Illuminations 18:00-21:00
May 5
Yosakoi dance parade (Peace Boulevard) 11:00
Skate World 12:00-19:00
Peace Flower Project Illuminations 18:00-20:00
Official website: https://www.hiroshima-ff.com/
