Hiroshima Flower Festival
May 3 - May 5
Free
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.
Information below is from 2019. We will update as we get more information.
2019 Flower Festival Main events
May 3:
Flower Festival Parade 11:00-15:00
International Exchange performances on the main Carnation Stage 12:30~
- Mariachi from Mexico
- Bian Lian Chinese Face Mask Changing Dance
- Samba Unidos Rosa de Hiroshima
- Kureshi(?!)
Kagura performances on the main Carnation Stage 18:15~
Peace Flower Project Illuminations 18:00-21:00
Skate World 12:00-19:00
May 4:
Live flower arranging show 11:00 Peace Flower Stage
City center athletics 14:00
- Mike Powell
- Willy Banks
- Dai Tamasue and more
Flower Festival main guest STU48 Carnation Stage 14:00
Battle of the Bands (Sakura Stage)
- ME(P)WL
- Kitsune Rockets
- NacoTomo
- Yellow stitch
- Negi Zoku
Yosakoi dance performances Carnation Stage on the main Carnation Stage 18:30~
Peace Flower Project illuminations 18:00-21:00
Skate World 12:00-19:00
May 5:
Yosakoi dance parade (Peace Boulevard) 11:00~
Yosakoi dance performances (Carnation Stage) 12:00~
Giant calligraphy painting (Across from A-bomb Dome in front of the Peace Bell) 10:30-14:30
Peace Flower Project illuminations 18:00-20:00
Skate World 12:00-19:00
