白和え (Shiraae)

Shiraae is another version of the Japanese salad Gomaae. This version has tofu added in the mix.

胡麻和え (Gomaee)

Gomaee is a Japanese salad made of vegetables like green beans tossed with white or black sesame seeds ground in a suribachi mortar bowl, flavored additionally with sugar and soy sauce.

秋葉山火祭り (Akiba Fire Festival)

The Akiba-san Hi Matsuri in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka is held every December 15. Celebrating the supposed fire-prevention powers of Mt. Akiba, it is held at Akiba Temple and Shrine atop the famous mountain, with fire-walking, fire dances, and various weapon dances.

いなさ人形劇まつり (Inasa Puppet Festival)

The Inasa Ningyougeki Matsuri in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka is held during the third weekend of November. A rarity in Japan, it brings puppeteers from across the country for three full days of over 60 performances. 

佐久間ダムまつり (Sakuma Dam Festival)

The Sakuma Dam Matsuri in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka happens during the last Sunday of October. It pays tribute to Ryujin, the god of Tenryu River, and commemorates the 1956 opening of Sakuma Dam, a great engineering feat of its time. Highlights include a colorful dragon god dance, taiko drumming, fireworks over the lake, and many vendors displaying local products. 

浜北万葉まつり (Hamakita Manyo Festival)

The Hamakita Manyo Matsuri in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka happens during the third weekend of October. It features re-enactments of life in the Nara and early Heian periods with people dressed in authentic period clothing and reading dramatic Manyo poetry.

水窪祭り (Misakubo Festival)

The Misakubo Matsuri in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka happens during the second Saturday of September. This mountain festival features a costume contest in the afternoon and parades of costumed men carrying elaborate floats in the evening.

遠州大念仏 (Enshu Buddhist Chanting Ritual)

The Enshu Dainenbutsu in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka happens around every July 14. In this local traditional performance, a procession of chanters and people with flutes, drums, cymbals and lanterns visit the homes of families who have lost a loved one in the last year.

浜松ゆかた祭り (Hamamatsu Yukata Festival)

The Hamamatsu Yukata Matsuri in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka happens during the first week of July. It celebrates the beauty of the colored summer kimono, since the city is known as one of Japan’s leading producers of the patterned, dyed fabric used to produce yukatas. There are also musical performances, food stalls, a yukata contest, and other exhibitions.

浜北飛龍まつり (Hamakita Hiryu Festival)

The Hamakita Hiryu Matsuri in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka is a festival that occurs in various locations in Hamakita: the Tenryu Nakase Ryokuchi Park, the Hamakita Culture Center, and Nayuta. It is celebrated in the first week of June and in honor of Ryujin, various events are held including kite-flying, a gyoza competition, and a special event celebrating fire, water, and sound.

憑坐 (Possessed Person)

A Yorimashi is a person that serves the same purpose as a yorishiro, in which a kami uses the person’s body as a physical object for religious ceremonies and worship.

依り代 (Yorishiro)

A Yorishiro is a Shinto term for an object capable of attracting kami, giving them a physical space to occupy during religious ceremonies for worship. The most common ones include swords, mirrors, ritual staffs, magatama, and trees.

紅白なます (Red White Namasu)

Kohaku Namasu is a Japanese salad made solely out of thin toothpick slices of daikon radish and carrots seasoned with vinegar. 

どろめ (Dorome)

Dorome are sardines, 2-3 cm in length, eaten fresh, dipped in sauce made from minced garlic greens, vinegar, and miso. It is often served at bars and pubs along with alcohol.

浜松祭り (Hamamatsu Festival)

The Hamamatsu Matsuri in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka is a 450-year old festival that happens during the Golden Week in early May. During the Takoage Gassen, every neighborhood in the city and even some from other cities design and make their own kites to fly and to fight near at the festival grounds near Nakatajima Sand Dunes, with each kite representing a son born to a family of the neighborhood within the last year. The festival features many food stalls (local and international), a stage for all kinds of music, local yaramaika music, kickboxing and other sports, as well as a parade with 70 ornate floats.