Kanto · KanagawaCultural
Teams haul enormous square kites the size of a room into the Golden Week sky above the Sagami River in a tradition nearly two centuries old.
Overview
The Sagami Giant Kite Festival, held on the riverbed of the Sagami River in Sagamihara, keeps alive a local custom that dates back roughly 190 years to the late Edo period. Its largest kite measures about 14.5 metres on a side and weighs close to a tonne, making it one of the biggest kites flown anywhere in Japan.
Getting such a giant airborne takes dozens of people pulling together, and the effort is as much a community ritual as a spectacle.
When & Where
The festival is held over the Golden Week holidays on May 4 and 5, 2026, from around 10:00 to 16:00, across four riverside sites in the Niiso and Isobe districts of Sagamihara.
Nearest station: Odakyu Line Sobudaimae Station.
Getting There
Sagamihara is on the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku; from Sobudaimae Station it is a bus ride or walk to the riverbank venues. Because the sites are spread along the river, check the day’s programme to see which field is flying the largest kites when you arrive.
What to Expect
Each giant kite is painted with two large kanji characters chosen for the year. When the wind is right, teams sprint and heave in unison to lift the square sails high over the water; smaller kites fill the sky between the big launches. Strong Golden Week breezes make for the best flying.
Tickets & Access
Admission is free. Bring your own picnic gear, as the venues are open riverbed with limited facilities.
Tips for Visitors
Flying depends entirely on the wind, so a breezy day is ideal and a still one may ground the giants. Wear shoes suited to gravel and grass, bring sun protection, and stand clear of the launch lines when a big kite goes up.
Access and Map
| Dates | May 4–5, 2026, approx. 10:00–16:00 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Sagami River riverbed, Niiso/Isobe district, Sagamihara, Kanagawa |
| Access | Bus or walk from Odakyu Line Sobudaimae Station |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | Kanagawa Kanko Now (Sagamihara City) |
Source: Kanagawa Kanko Now (Sagamihara City)
Image: Photo: U.S. Army USAGJ by Noriko Kudo / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
