Matsuri Guide

Name in Japanese and English

• 静岡まつり（しずおかまつり）
• Shizuoka Matsuri, the great spring festival of Shizuoka

History

The Shizuoka Matsuri（静岡まつり, Shizuoka Matsuri）is the major urban spring festival in Shizuoka（静岡市, Shizuoka-shi）, centered on the story of the “great retired” Tokugawa Ieyasu（徳川家康, Tokugawa Ieyasu）during the time he ruled from Sunpu（駿府, Sunpu）, the period known as the “Sunpu Ōgosho jidai”（駿府大御所時代, Sunpu Ōgosho jidai, 1607–1616). The iconic scene, reenacted every year, is that of a hanami（花見, hanami）feudal cherry blossom viewing, which has become the festival’s main theme.

The modern festival began in 1957（昭和32年, Shōwa 32）as a citizen festival, echoing the grand celebration of the Shizuoka Sengen Shrine（静岡浅間神社, Shizuoka Sengen Jinja）and its Hatsukae-sai（廿日会祭, Hatsukae-sai）, a spring rite reputed to be very ancient. Over time, the event has been structured around several “stories” and appointments, the most famous being the Ōgosho hanami procession, which has become the festival’s visual signature.

Location and Date of the Event

• Location: 駿府城公園（すんぷじょうこうえん, Sunpu-jō Kōen）and downtown, notably including 青葉シンボルロード（あおばシンボルロード, Aoba Symbol Road）.
• Address: 〒420-0855 静岡県静岡市葵区駿府城公園1-1（Sunpujō Kōen 1-1, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka-ken 420-0855）.
• Date: every year, from the first Friday to Sunday of April. 2026 edition: April 3 to 5, 2026.

Schedule

The festival takes place over 3 days and is experienced as a large downtown celebration, between hanami（花見, hanami）and performances. The beating heart is the Sunpu-jō Kōen（駿府城公園, Sunpu-jō Kōen）area, very busy when the cherry trees are in bloom.

The most famous highlight is the Ōgosho Hanami Gyōretsu procession（大御所花見行列, Ōgosho hanami gyōretsu）: an “Edo period” parade reenacting the hanami of the lord of Sunpu, with Ōgosho（大御所, ōgosho）, miyadai（御台所, miyadai）and lords in costume. Another very popular moment is the participatory Sunpu Tōjō Gyōretsu procession（駿府登城行列, Sunpu tōjō gyōretsu）, where residents parade dressed as samurai, ninjas, or merchants. Finally, when night falls, the atmosphere changes with Yozakura Ranbu（夜桜乱舞, yozakura ranbu）, grand street dances under the cherry blossoms.

What makes the Shizuoka Matsuri unique is this blend of “city in festival mode” and “grand reenactment” in a park-citadel setting, just steps from the station, with a crowd density typical of major regional events.

Practical Tips

Photos

For the Ōgosho hanami gyōretsu（大御所花見行列, Ōgosho hanami gyōretsu）, arrive early on the passage routes: crowds form quickly. In Sunpu-jō Kōen（駿府城公園, Sunpu-jō Kōen）, aim for shots combining “costumes + sakura” for a very “period” effect. A short zoom is ideal for portraits, a wide-angle for the atmosphere under the cherry trees.

Weather

Early April in Shizuoka often has mild but changeable weather: cool mornings, pleasant afternoons, possible showers. Plan layered clothing and comfortable shoes (lots of walking and standing).

Transport

The easiest way is to come by train to Shizuoka-eki（静岡駅, Shizuoka-eki）, then walk to Sunpu-jō Kōen. On weekends, expect traffic restrictions and large crowds: if you come by car, aim for a paid downtown parking lot and finish on foot.

Visitor Tips

To avoid the peak, favor Friday or a morning slot. Before leaving, check the “見頃（みごろ, migoro）” info: it’s the keyword for “full bloom.” For the best combo, visit Sunpu-jō Kōen（駿府城公園, Sunpu-jō Kōen）then Aoba Symbol Road（青葉シンボルロード, Aoba Symbol Road）at the end of the day.

What to Bring

Cash, portable charger, water bottle, poncho (more practical than an umbrella in crowds), and a small towel.

Sources & References

• 静岡まつり公式ページ｜静岡まつり～駿府大御所時代絵巻～

  Official site: presentation, rule “first Friday–Sunday of April,” historical context (Shōwa 32, Sunpu Ōgosho jidai).

• 【公式】駿府城公園｜ご利用案内・アクセス（住所・徒歩時間）

  Official address and access (JR Shizuoka, Shin-Shizuoka), note “no dedicated parking.”

• 静岡まつり公式｜静岡まつりと静岡浅間神社廿日会祭

  Context of “Hatsukae-sai” (廿日会祭) and cultural links around local traditions.