Location: Oyama, Isehara-City

A festival celebrating Oyama’s famous Tofu will be held at the Tofu Plaza. During this festival of thanks, a large piece of tofu is placed on a Shinto altar to express gratitude for the blessing of tofu, and to pray for the health of participants. Afterwards, boiled tofu will be made in a 4 meter diameter cauldron, then “Sennin Nabe” hot pot cuisine will be distributed for free to 500 people. Other events include making tofu and wanko tofu speed eating contests.

For details, contact the Oyama Tofu Festival Executive Committee Office (Tel: 090-2322-6599)

Location: Awashima-jinja Shrine, Ashina, Yokosuka-City

Awashima-jinja Shrine is trusted by many women for marriage and the safe delivery of children. On the day of the festival, people can directly touch the “shintai” religious object that is said to bring the blessing of children, and an offering of bottomless ladles associated with the legend of Awashima-jinja Shrine will take place. Also on that day, a memorial service for old needles is held and paper doll amulets that were gotten at the shrine during the previous year are gathered. After a Shinto priest purifies them, they are imbued with the impurities and misfortune of one year, put in a small boat, and floated into the ocean in a ritual called “nagashibina.”

For details, contact Awashima-jinja Shrine (Tel: 046-856-0707)

Location: Ashigarigo Seto Yashiki, Kanaishima, Kaisei-Town

The Sedo Yashiki is a 300 year old building that used to belong to the village headman. Hina Matsuri (the Girls’ Festival) will be celebrated with a display of emperor and empress dolls from the Seto Yashiki collection, many sets of hina decorations, and over 5,000 tsurushi-bina hanging decorations made by a local women’s association. From 10:00 to 17:00. (Entrance fees apply. Seto Yashiki is open every day.)

For details, contact Ashigarigo Seto Yashiki (Tel: 0465-84-0050)

Location: Suwa-jinja Shrine, Sengokuhara, Hakone-Town

The giant kettle in the shrine precincts is filled with hot water and heroic “Shishi-mai” (lion dance) is performed nearby. Afterwards, the “lions” stir the kettle with bundles of bamboo grass and sprinkle “yubana” (hot springs mineral deposits) over the heads of attendees to pray for their health.

For details, contact the Hakone-Town Tourism Information Center (Tel: 0460-85-5700)

Location: Hasuge-jinja Shrine, Hasugesan, Aikawa-Town

A solemn and secret "holy fire” fire walking ritual will be performed by mountain ascetics at the Hasuge-jinja Shrine “shugenjo” training hall ruins. Other events include performances within the shrine precincts and a young men’s kendo (sword fighting) tournament.

For details, contact the Aikawa-Town Commerce, Industry, and Tourism Division (Tel: 046-285-2111)

Location: Joshi Park Ninomaru Plaza, Castle precincts, Odawara-City

A Kamaboko Sakura Festival is held in Joshi Park, which is famous for its sakura (cherry blossoms). Events include performances by master kamaboko (fish cake) makers, a “One Night Castle Battle” kamaboko board stacking contest, information about and sampling of kamaboko cuisine, kamaboko concerts, and Odawara daiko drum performances.

For details, contact the Odawara Kamaboko Association (Tel: 0465-22-4068)

Location: Shigitatsuan, Oiso-Town, Oiso

A festival held to commemorate the contributions of Oiso Hoshi. Planned events include a ceremony, incense offering, tea offering, performances, instruments, flower offering, poetry offering (haiku and tanka), a Saigyo Festival haiku gathering, and a Saigyo Festival tanka gathering.

For details, contact the Oiso Town Economic Affairs and Tourism Division (Tel: 0463-61-4100)