The 31st Hamakita Manyo Festival (浜北万葉まつり) will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Manyo no Mori Park (万葉の森公園) in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka. The park hosts the festival every October, and this year marks its 31st edition.
The festival invites visitors to enjoy Manyo with all five senses on a special day. Admission is free, although some activities require a fee.
Highlights
The main event is the "Kyokusui no En" (曲水の宴), which recreates the world of the classics in period costume, just like the aristocrats of the Nara period.
New this year are three attractions:
- Hamakita Manyo Mikuji (はまきた万葉みくじ): a fortune slip that lets you encounter a Manyo poem
- Manyogana Name Bookmark Making (万葉仮名でつづる！私の名前しおり作り): a chance to see your own name turned into what looks like a code
- Kyokusui Garden Photo Spot (曲水庭園フォトスポット): a spot where you can sit on a poet's pedestal and become the main character
A photo contest will also be held. Entries are photos taken on the day of the festival, and prizes are offered.
Other attractions include:
- Stage performances such as choral singing, Chinese pipa and Chinese dance
- Tours of the Manyo botanical garden
- Hands-on activities including Manyo costumes, Manyo food, illustrated letters (e-tegami) and temari ball making
- An outdoor tea gathering (nodate)
Event Details
- Date and time: Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10:00 AM to 3:10 PM. The event is canceled in case of severe weather and held in light rain.
- Venue: Manyo no Mori Park (万葉の森公園), 5051-1 Hiraguchi, Hamana Ward, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
- Phone: 053-586-8700
- Admission: Free (some activities require a fee)
For further details, see the Hamamatsu City website: Hamakita Manyo no Heya page
Festival Flyer
