Arima Onsen Irizome Shiki

Arima Onsen is said to be the oldest hot spring in Japan. This classical ceremony dating from the Edo period prays for the prosperity of Arima Onsen. As part of the ceremony, the various ryokan owners traditionally dressed as women who assisted bathers at hot-springs resorts, Shinto priests and Buddhist monks churn the hot water until it is the right temperature (yumomi).

Classical Ceremony: Tsuina-shiki

This traditional event dating from the Muromachi period (1333-1573) prays for protection from disaster and illness, and for safety in the home in the coming year. (Designated Hyogo Prefecture Folkloric Treasure)

Nankinmachi Chinese New Year Celebrations

Nankinmachi, where many people of Chinese descent live, celebrates the Chinese New Year with lion dances, dragon dances, and the setting off firecrackers in the streets. The streets of Nankinmachi come alive with this exotic festival.。

Rokkosan Pasture Spring Fair

Watch the sheep shearing display at the farm. Try your hand at making butter from milk (participation fee), too.

Night Cherry Blossom Viewing Tunnel

Walk through the beautifully lit-up tunnel of cherry blossoms at Oji Zoo which is famous for viewing cherry blossoms. Even the animals enjoy the flowers at full bloom.

Infiorata Kobe

"Infiorata" is the Italian word for "laying flowers out". Flower petals are laid out on roads and squares across Europe to form pictures. This event began in Kobe after the earthquake to restore courage to the citizens and beautify the city using tulip petals to create the huge pictures.

Suma Grand Tea Ceremony

Sumadera, founded in the early Heian Period (794-1185), is a temple with over 1,100 years of history and is connected with the Genji and Heike clans. It is fondly known as "Suma-no-Odaishi-san". The Suma Grand Tea Ceremony is held annually by the Omote Senke and Ura Senke schools of tea ceremony at this time of year under the fresh green foliage of Sumadera Park, which is also famous for cherry blossoms and autumn colors. (Admission fee)

Danjiri Festival

Duration：Early- to late May Venue：Higashi Nada

Duration：Early May Venue：Nada

The danjiri floats in each neighborhood are pulled through the streets by locals wearing colorful happi coats spurred on by the beat of drums and clanging of bells. The vigorous cries of the participants are enthralling. A very picturesque festival.

Kobe Festival

The whole city bursts into a festive mood with festivities in each ward across the city, including the festival parade starting in front of Flower Road, Samba Street, and the flower stage.

Kutsukko Shoe Festival

Enjoy the bazaar for chemical shoes, famous around the country as Kobe's local industry, and various events on stage.

Hydrangea walk in the forest

Enjoy the quiz rally and guided tours conducted by the staff while the hydrangeas, the flower of the city of Kobe, are in full bloom.

Samba Festa Kobe

Samba teams from across Japan gather in Kobe, which is known as the home of samba in Japan, to present a flamboyant show.

Minato Kobe Fireworks Festival

This maritime fireworks display is a Port of Kobe summer tradition. The fireworks, which are let off at sea in front of Meriken Park, complement the harbor at night with indescribable beauty.

Kobe Seaside Bon Dance

The Bon dance festival is held on the waterfront at Meriken Park. The "International Bon Dance Contest" in which Kobe's non-Japanese residents participate is a popular event.

Suma Noh Firelight Performance

Noh is performed by firelight on the moon-viewing stage in Oike in Suma, which has a deep history and many historical remains. The audience is drawn into the subtle and profound world of Noh. (Admission fee)

Nankinmachi Mid-autumn Festival

China has a festival for each of the four seasons: Lunar New Year, the Dragon Boat Festival in summer, the Mid-autumn Festival  and Winter Solstice. The Mid-autumn Festival, which is the second largest festival after Chinese New Year, celebrates the autumn harvest and honors the gods of the earth. At this time of year, the moon, which has been worshipped since ancient times, is at its fullest, and the circle, in China, represents harmony and completeness, and the round dinner table represents a happy family. The Mid-autumn Festival in Nankinmachi has lion dances, and the chefs show off their skill creating special seasonal menus.

Kobe Tourism Day, Kobe Tourism Week

October 3 is the day the NHK morning drama series, "Weathercock," began in 1977, sparking a tourism boom in Kobe. During Tourism Week, many facilities are open for free, offer discount admission, or give away presents to visitors.

Kobe Jazz Street

Kobe is the birthplace of Japanese jazz. This jazz event is the largest festival of the autumn. Japanese and international jazz musicians color the Kitano area with jazz. Walk around and enjoy the jazz concerts at various venues in the area. (Admission fee)

Tor Road Craft Art Fair

Tor Road is lined with booths that display and sell handmade arts and crafts. Workshops are also held during the fair.

Motomachi Music Week

This event, with the slogan of "the best of Kobe in Motomachi," is held in Motomachi Shopping Arcade and the surrounding area, which has a long history of introducing Western culture, such as Western clothes and coffee, to Japan. Enjoy the music across genres at various locations in the streets or at live clubs.

Kobe Chrysanthemum Exhibition

The exhibition displays 2,500 chrysanthemums gathered from various locations in Hyogo Prefecture. From bonsai to flower gardens, enjoy the various displays. (Admission fee)

Kobe Film Festival

Enjoy films from cities and regions around the world at the various venues around Kobe, the home of Japanese cinema. (Admission fee)

World Forest Maple Leaf Tour

Enjoy a guided tour at the arboretum, which is famous for autumn colors, by the staff, and a quiz rally.

Arima Grand Tea Ceremony

This event, held at Zenpukuji, began in 1950 in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi who loved Arima to preserve the scenic beauty of Arima Onsen and the spirit of the tea ceremony. Enjoy the open-air tea ceremony and the autumn colors at Zuihoji Park, where extra seating is provided. (Admission fee)

Kobe Gaslight Street Illumination

The gorgeous illumination of the trees along Gaslight Street, the main street of Harborland, is a colorful Christmas event.

Kobe Luminarie

Duration：Early-Mid December * This event is not held between December 23 and 25.

Venue：Old Foreign Settlement and Higashi-Yuenchi Park (Chuo Ward)

Luminarie is derived from the Italian, Illuminazione Per Feste (lighting for celebration). This decorative art originated and flourished at the end of the Renaissance in the latter half of the 16th century. The "Light Sculpture" embraces Kobe with a warm light in memorium of the victims of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquke and as a prayer for the revitalization and resurrection of Kobe.