The Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival was started as a postwar commercial revitalization initiative, and is characterized by the vibrance of its Tanabata decorations, said to be the most lavish in Japan, made possible by the city's commercial power. Approximately 300 ornaments fill the streets of the city center, centered in the main venue, Shonan Star Mall, with gorgeous decorations, some reaching over 5 meters in height! In the evening, the decorations are lit up, creating an even more beautiful and impressive sight. During the festival, various events are held, including a Tanabata decoration competition and a parade. The festival has developed into one of Japan's most representative summer traditions, with the Shonan Hiratsuka Orihime, chosen through a contest, participating in various events, such as parades and visits to the city, further livening up the Tanabata festival.Held every July, Tanabata is a vibrant festival celebrating the one annual meeting of two celestial lovers. The bright colours of the decorations around the city and the night-time illuminations are rivaled by the beautiful kimonos worn by visitors.The Tanabata Festival, which announces the arrival of summer in Shonan, is one of the largest in Japan, along with the Sendai City Tanabata Festival in Miyagi Prefecture. About 500 gorgeous decorations are presented in the center of Hiratsuka, and at night, they are lit up to create a magical atmosphere. A parade and more than 400 stalls—selling a wide variety of things, such as Shonan gourmet foods—make the festival even more exciting.

Visitors can learn about the structure of kimonos, see firsthand how kimonos are washed, and experience a portion of the "washing and stretching" process.

This museum is located in Hiratsuka. Exhibits focus on the nature and culture of the Sagami River basin. A planetarium is attached to the museum and is popular among children for its interesting constellation stories, the latest space information, and various other contents (note the projection dates and times).

You can smell Shonan’s salty sea breeze at Shonan Bank. Experience the thrill and excitement of night races around the fantastic illuminated bank. Multilingual service is available.

Shonan Wakasa Ei Yuu is the only studio in Kanagawa still making their wagasa (traditional Japanese umbrellas) entirely by hand. Wagasa were widely used during the Edo period (1603-1868), but quickly fell out of use during the Meiji period (1868-1912) with the popularization of Western umbrellas.The charms of wagasa are now being rediscovered, along with the traditional rituals and performances that they have long been used in. While the number of wagasa craftsmen is declining nationwide, a fascination with wagasa is growing both in Japan and overseas.