Kanto

Sagami Giant Kite Festival

Shin-Isono, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa

Venue: Sagami River Shin-Iso District Riverbed (4 venues: Shindo, Katsusaka, Shimo-Isobe, Kami-Isobe)

May 4 – May 5, 2026

The Sagami Giant Kite Festival, held annually on May 4-5 in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa, is a Children's Day tradition dating back about 200 years to the Tenpo era (ca. 1830). Giant kites crafted by local preservation societies are flown at four venues along the Sagami River. The star attraction is the 'hachiken-dako' (eight-ken kite) at Shindo venue, measuring 14.5m square and weighing about 950kg—Japan's largest annually flown kite. Over 100 people pull ropes to launch it skyward. Each year, a single kanji character reflecting current events is painted on the kite.
Breathtaking moment when Japan's largest kite (14.5m square) soars into the sky
Access

15 min walk from JR Sobudai-shimo Station, or bus from Odakyu Sobudaimae Station

Hours

10:00–16:00

Admission

Free

Giant KiteTraditional EventChildren's Day

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