Toukasan Yukata Festival

Hiroshima really comes alive over the three nights of Tōkasan – a festival that really does feel “festive”.  Join the 300,000 people who will be donning their yukata for the first time this year who take over Chuo-dori and environs to promenade, play festival games like fish scooping, buy strange inflatable novelties and stuff their faces with equally strange stuff on sticks.

As well as parades and summer bon dancing, there will be taiko drumming and other performances on stages dotted around the center of town. See below for the schedule of main events. Our favorite place is Yukata de Bon Dance in Shintenchi Park where people of all ages dance to classic Japanese songs crackling out of the PA on the central tower and street stalls sell festival treats at fantastic prices.

Read more about and see more photos from Tōkasan here.

Chuo-dori is closed to traffic on Friday and Saturday 19:00-22:00.

2018 Yukata de Kinsai events around the city center (2019 info will be added when we get it)

Hondori Shopping Arcade

• Yukata Parade featuring a giant bulbous lantern Friday 18:00-19:00

Chuo-dori

• Closed to traffic 19:00-22:00 Friday and Saturday
• The main street is split into 4 areas devoted to (or blocked by) dance and taiko drum performances
• Live show by SHowa retro pop unit RIT
• Yukata fashion shows Friday and Saturday
• Yukata and pets fashion show Friday 19:00
• Mihara Yassa Dance performance Saturday

Shintenchi Park (every night of the festival)

Photos and video from Shintenchi Park during Tōkasanhere.

The highlight of Tōkasan as far as we are concerned. Old school vibe, cheap snacks and drinks and bon dancing at 19:00 and 21:00 which everyone is very welcome to join in with. Annual appearances by local singer Minami Issei singing classics such as Hiroshima Tengoku and the Carp song.

Shareo Central Plaza (Friday and Saturday)

• Opening ceremony, Friday 17:00-17:30
• Yukata market Friday & Saturday 13:00-20:00. Get a free fitting if you buy one.
• Get your yukata and obi sorted out for ¥500 Friday & Saturday 13:00-20:00
• Everyone welcome (not hardcore) tea ceremony (¥400) and free chance to whip up your own maccha tea (¥100) on Saturday 13:00-17:00

Fukuromachi Park

• • Suntory Highball Garden
    • Friday 16:00-21:00
    • Saturday 12:00-21:00
    • Sunday 12:00-18:00
  • Get your yukata and obi sorted out for ¥500
    • Friday & Saturday 13:00-20:00
  • Pets dressed in yukata photo exhibition
    • Friday 13:00-20:00
    • Saturday 13:00-20:00
    • Sunday 13:00-17:00
  • Family support service
    • Breastfeeding and changing area
    • Picnic space for families with pre-schoolers

Hiroshima Kokusai Hotel

Get your yukata and obi sorted out for ¥500

• Friday 13:00-20:00
• Saturday 13:00-20:00
• Sunday 13:00-18:00