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 around the image of the Ōgosho（大御所, ōgosho）, that is Tokugawa Ieyasu（徳川家康, Tokugawa Ieyasu）during his Sunpu period （駿府, Sunpu）. The main theme of the festival is the reenactment of a hanami（花見, hanami）feudal cherry blossom viewing, which has become the emblematic scene of the matsuri: a true “illustrated scroll” (絵巻, emaki) that crosses the city.

The modern festival began in 1957（昭和32年, Shōwa 32）as a citizen’s celebration and resonates with the great ritual tradition of the Shizuoka Sengen Shrine（静岡浅間神社, Shizuoka Sengen Jinja）and its Hatsukae-sai（廿日会祭, Hatsukae-sai）. Over the decades, the event has been structured around major recurring highlights, the most famous being the Ōgosho procession, accompanied by stage performances, stalls, and shows in several areas (park, downtown, shopping streets).

Location and Date of the Event

• Location: 駿府城公園（Sunpu-jō Kōen）and downtown, notably 青葉シンボルロード（Aoba Symbol Road）and the streets around the station.
• 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）.
• Access: from JR 静岡駅（しずおかえき, Shizuoka-eki）, about 15 minutes on foot to Sunpu-jō Kōen. Alternative: 新静岡駅（しんしずおかえき, Shin-Shizuoka-eki）then walk. By car: prefer paid parking lots in the center (high attendance and regulated traffic).
• Date: every year, from the first Friday to Sunday of April. 2026 edition: April 3 to 5, 2026 (the major processions and dances are scheduled for April 4 and 5).

Schedule

The Shizuoka Matsuri takes place over 3 days and is experienced as a large downtown celebration, between hanami（花見, hanami）and performances. Visitors come for the atmosphere, the stalls, the stages, but especially for the historical reenactment around the Ōgosho and the energy of the collective performances.

The most famous highlight is the Ōgosho Hanami Gyōretsu（大御所花見行列, Ōgosho hanami gyōretsu）: an “Edo period” parade where the Ōgosho (徳川家康, Tokugawa Ieyasu) appears surrounded by miyadai（御台所, miyadai）and daimyō, in a very photogenic staging under the cherry trees. There is also the Sunpu Tōjō Gyōretsu（駿府登城行列, Sunpu tōjō gyōretsu）: a participatory procession where residents parade in samurai, ninja, or period civilian costumes. Finally, the city switches to dance mode with Yozakura Ranbu（夜桜乱舞, yozakura ranbu）: performances and “grand dance” (総踊り, sō-odori) on the main streets, especially in the evening.

What makes the event unique is the mix of “city in celebration” and “grand reenactment” just steps from the station, in the setting of Sunpu-jō（駿府城, Sunpu-jō）and the downtown streets, with very dense attendance during the key moments.

Practical Tips

Photos

For the Ōgosho hanami gyōretsu（大御所花見行列, Ōgosho hanami gyōretsu）, arrive early: the route edges fill up quickly. In Sunpu-jō Kōen（駿府城公園, Sunpu-jō kōen）, look for shots combining “costumes + sakura + castle stones” for a very “period” effect. A short zoom is ideal for portraits, a wide-angle for the atmosphere under the cherry trees. In the evening, raise ISO slightly rather than blurring the crowd.

Weather

Early April in Shizuoka: weather is often mild but changeable. Plan layered clothing (cool mornings, warmer afternoons) and a light windbreaker. In case of showers, a poncho is more practical than an umbrella in the crowd.

Transport

The easiest: train to Shizuoka-eki（静岡駅, Shizuoka-eki）then walk to Sunpu-jō Kōen. On festival days, expect traffic restrictions and slower returns in the evening. If you come by car, aim for a paid parking lot downtown and finish on foot.

Visitor Tips

To avoid the peak, prefer Friday or a morning slot. A useful keyword in local announcements: 見頃（みごろ, migoro）= “full bloom”. If you want to optimize: start with the park (sakura photos), then downtown (stalls/performances) later in the day.

What to Bring

Cash (for stalls), portable charger, water bottle, poncho, small towel, and comfortable shoes (lots of walking and standing).

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 “1st Friday–Sunday of April”, context (Shōwa 32, link with 廿日会祭).

• 第70回静岡まつり開催日時決定（2026年4月3日～5日）

  Official announcement of the 2026 dates, distinguishing between the overall period and the days of the major processions/dances.

• SBS/TBS NEWS DIG｜第70回静岡まつり（2026）大御所役発表

  News article: announcement of the “Ōgosho” personalities for the 2026 edition.