Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2013

Kanagawa has its fair share of outdoor summer entertainment. Here’s a selection of festivals to enjoy… and some beaches for the downtime.

Kawasaki Wind-Chime City
Over 30,000 wind-chimes on sale—their gentle sound is supposed to make you feel cooler. Obon dance on Jul 20. Until Jul 21, all day, free. Kawasaki Daishi. Nearest station: Kawasaki Daishi.
www.kawasakidaishi.com

Kamakura Fireworks Festival
2,500 fireworks on the coastline of the ancient capital. Jul 23, 7:20pm, free. Yuigahama and Zaimokuza beaches. Nearest stn: Yuigahama or Wadazuka. www.kamakura-info.jp

Southern Beach Chigasaki Fireworks Tournament
Boom factor: 3,000. Super shooters over southern waters. Aug 3, 7:30-8.20pm, free. Southern Beach Chigasaki. Nearest stn: Chigasaki.
www.chigasaki-kankou.org

Kanagawa Shinbun
Fireworks Festival
Boom factor: 15,000. Fireworks over Yokohama’s stunning skyline. Aug 1, 7pm, free. Rinkou Park, Minato Mirai, Yokohama. Nearest stn: Minato Mirai.
http://hanabi.kanaloco.jp

Tatsunokuchi Taketoro
Thousands of beautifully designed bamboo lanterns arranged in a long line, reminiscent of a dragon. Aug 3, 6pm, ¥1,000 per lantern. Ryukoji temple, Katase-Enoshima. Nearest stn: Katase-Enoshima.
www.ryukoji.jp

Miurakaigan Nouryou Fireworks Festival
Boom factor: 3,000. Aug 7, 7:30-8:15pm, free. Miurakaigan Beach. Nearest stn: Miurakaigan.
www.miura-info.ne.jp

Hakone Goura Summer
Festival Daimonji
Giant bonfires make the shape of the kanji meaning “large” on Myojyogatake hillside, followed by fireworks. Aug 16, from 7:30pm, free. Goura, Hakone. Nearest stn: Goura.
www.goura-kanko.jp

Minato Mirai Obon Odori
Traditional dance on the harborfront. Aug 17, 5:30-8:30pm; Aug 18, 4-8:30pm, free. Pacifico Yokohama. Nearest stn: Minato Mirai. Tel: 045-221-2155.
www.pacifico.co.jp

Fujisawa Enoshima Fireworks Festival
Boom factor: 3,000. Beachside fireworks light up the autumn sky. October 19, 6pm, free. Tel: 0466-22-4141. http://meturl.com/fujisawahanabi Katasekaigan Nishihama and Higashihama beaches. Nearest station: Katase-Enoshima.

SAND STORMIN’

N.B. Beach facilities only open during summer months.

Zaimokuza Beach
Events: Kamakura Fireworks Festival (Jul 23). Nearest stn: Wadazuka.
www.city.kamakura.kanagawa.jp

Katasekaigan Nishihama Beach
Two separated beahes but same area that include Katasekaigan Nishihama and Higashihama beaches. Nearest stn: Katase-Enoshima.
www.fujisawa-kanko.jp

Southern Beach Chigasaki
Events: Fireworks Tournament (Aug 3). Nearest stn: Chigasaki.
www.chigasaki-kankou.org

Umi no Koen Beach
Event: Yokohama Beach Sports Festa Jul 27-28 & Aug 3-4; Kanazawa Fireworks (Aug 31). Nearest stn:
Uminokoen-Minamiguchi.

Zushi Beach
Events: MTV’S Zushi Fes (Aug 9-11), and Marine Festival (Aug 10). Nearest stn: Zushi.
http://z-kumiai.jp

Miurakaigan Beach
Nearest stn: Miurakaigan.
www.miura-info.ne.jp

Oiso Beach
Event: Nagisa no Saiten (Jul 27). Nearest stn: Oiso.
www.town.oiso.kanagawa.jp

Yuigahama Beach
Event: Kamakura Fireworks Festival (Jul 23). Nearest stn: Hase.
www.city.kamakura.kanagawa.jp

Shichirigahama Beach
Nearest stn: Shichirigahama.
www.city.kamakura.kanagawa.jp