On Sunday, July 27th, we visited the Numazu Summer Festival!
Although there were still a few hours left until the fireworks, people were already taking their seats on the paid riverside platforms along the Kano River. The anticipation was building.
The “Sansan Street”, stretching from JR Numazu Station’s south exit, was a pedestrian zone buzzing with portable shrines, dance performances, and street stalls.
The crowd was just right—not too packed—and the breeze made it pleasantly cool.
We kicked things off with a Corona beer with lime—cheers!
Don do do don… Don do do don…
The lead taiko drummer was impressively muscular.
One man had a flower on his head and a bobbling chick on his shoulder—a heartwarming and amusing sight.
At Chuo Park, we stumbled upon a stage that looked like a high school event—but the rap performance was amazing!
Turned out it was ELIONE, a rapper from Numazu himself!
He had such a strong presence—you could feel the difference of a pro.
Honestly, I’d probably avoid eye contact if I bumped into him on the street (haha).
Seeing piles of lemons, we couldn’t resist buying some lemonade to cool down.
The portable shrines parading through the streets, and even rare booths like “medaka scoop” (tiny rice fish instead of goldfish) made for a fun and unique festival experience.
Many restaurants and shops along the street were selling drinks and food at their storefronts, and we kept stopping to check them out.
At the local shopping arcade, we were welcomed by a Kinnikuman Museum!
Some bars in the arcade were surprisingly stylish, with bartenders looking sharp in their uniforms—so cool!
We enjoyed a mojito served in a trendy package.
There were plenty of spots for daytime drinks, and the street food options were endless.
From the chicken pilaf and deep-fried potatoes at an Indian food stall
to the freshly torched roast beef from a local butcher (which smelled too good to pass up), every bite was a win.
With time to spare before the fireworks, we searched on Google and found a nearby izakaya called “Misono”.
(We’ll share a full report on that next time!)
The owner kindly offered to turn on the TV to watch the fireworks, but since they were happening just outside, we decided to step out.
Even catching glimpses of the fireworks peeking through residential rooftops felt charming and nostalgic.
The Numazu Summer Festival turns the entire town into a stage—every corner is alive with energy and excitement.
Many restaurants are open from the afternoon, making it an event you can enjoy from day to night, not just for the fireworks!
📍 How to Get There
Numazu Summer Festival Access:
- Location: Central Numazu City (around Kano River, Sansan Street, and Chuo Park)
- Nearest Station: Just a short walk from JR Numazu Station (South Exit)
- From Tokyo: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Mishima Station, then transfer to the JR Tokaido Line to Numazu Station (Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes total)
- Parking: Coin-operated parking lots are available nearby, but public transportation is highly recommended due to heavy traffic and crowds
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