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.

Centered around Hiratsuka Station, it is an event that is about 8 kilometers and takes about 2-3 hours of walking. You can stroll around Tokaido's historic sites.(Taken from Hiratsuka Tourist Assocation official website)

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).

Our petting zoo has many small birds such as parakeets and Java finches, large birds such as peacocks, and small animals such as squirrel monkeys and chipmunks. At the petting zoo, visitors can hold and touch cute guinea pigs and rabbits. Let's spend our time therapeuticly interacting with cute animals.

Pilot Corporation, known today for the pens, created a high-end fountain pen utilizing Maki-e lacquer techniques in 1926 (Taisho 15). Later, the Kokkokai (a group of Maki-e artisans) was founded with living national treasure Maki-e artisan, Gonroku Matsuda, as its center. As a result, the ancient Japanese art of Maki-e has been preserved for over 100 years. Today, the workshop is in a brick building in Hiratsuka, which previously housed the former Second Navy Ammunitions Arsenal. The history of Maki-e-lacquered fountain pens and lacquered pieces are part of the exhibit.