Hiroshima Flower Festival 2025

Event date:
May 3, 2025 at 5:42 am
Event end:
May 5, 2025 at 5:42 am

Dates:
May 3 (Saturday) – May 5 (Monday, Holiday), 2025

Location:
Peace Boulevard, Hiroshima City

Access:

Peace Boulevard is closed to traffic during the festival.
Public Transport: Accessible by various city buses and Hiroshima’s tram system.

Festival Overview

The Hiroshima Flower Festival is an annual event celebrating the arrival of spring. It spans 3 days and includes parades, dance performances, music, stalls, and other festive activities. This lively and carnivalesque event attracts over a million visitors every year and is one of the highlights of Hiroshima’s Golden Week.

Main Events

Flower Parade (May 3)

Time: Starts around midday
A colorful parade featuring decorated floats, marching bands, dance troupes, and community groups. The procession makes its way along Peace Boulevard to Peace Memorial Park, where the main “Carnation” Stage is located.
Highlight: Big-name guests will perform, including Kagura dance on the second day.

Yosakoi Dance Parade (May 5)

Time: All day
An energetic and vibrant performance featuring Yosakoi, a Japanese traditional dance style, with modern music influences. Over 100 teams perform along Peace Boulevard, hoping to be chosen as the top team.

Stages and Performances

Over 20 stages will be set up along Peace Boulevard, each named after different flowers. Expect performances from local bands, school kids, pensioners hula dancing, and minor celebrities.
Popular acts include Japanese rock bands, cultural performances, and even some international acts.

Food and Stalls

International food stalls will be concentrated along the boulevard, offering a variety of delicious cuisines.
Vegetarians might find limited options, but meat lovers will be in heaven with food stalls offering skewers, fried dishes, and more.
For those craving a drink, head to local sake and craft beer tents.
Families can enjoy the bouncy castles and play games for free in the power company’s tent.

Flower Candle Message

A more contemplative addition to the festival, where visitors can leave a personal peace message on a flower candle in Peace Memorial Park.
Time: The candles are lit at sunset and remain glowing until around 9:00 PM (8:30 PM on the final day).

How to Enjoy the Festival

Crowds: Peace Boulevard can get very crowded, especially on the first and last days. If you want to avoid the crowds, visit on the middle day (May 4) or after 3:00 PM when the parades are finished.
Weather: May tends to be warm, so be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen. It might be a good idea to visit later in the afternoon when the sun is less intense.
Program: A schedule of events (in Japanese) is published a few days before the event. While it might be difficult to read, feel free to let serendipity guide you as you wander around the festival!
Families: Large hotels along Peace Boulevard often open their lobbies to the public, providing toilets and changing facilities for families with babies or toddlers.

Festival Highlights

Flower Parade: A grand opening on May 3 with a vibrant display of floats, bands, and dancers.
Yosakoi Dance: A colorful and spirited dance parade on May 5 featuring over 100 teams.
Flower Candle Message: A peaceful addition to the festival with candles lit in Peace Memorial Park.
Tourism and Product Fair: Around 130 booths showcasing domestic and international food and drink.