Countries
Fukiage-hama Sand Festival
3
May
Date
3 May (Sunday)
Time
Sun, May 3 – Tue, May 5
Venue
Minamisatsuma City Hall, 2648 Kasedakawabata
Minamisatsuma, Kagoshima, Japan
📝 Useful Information
The Fukiagehama Sand Festival (Fukiagehama Suna no Saiten) is a major annual event in Minamisatsuma City, Kagoshima, featuring massive, intricate sand sculptures made from the sands of Fukiagehama, one of Japan's three largest sand dunes. For 2026, the festival is scheduled to take place during Japan's Golden Week holiday.
For more details, you can visit the Official Fukiagehama Sand Festival website or the Kagoshima Prefecture Tourism site.
Would you like more information on nearby accommodation or other Kagoshima attractions to visit during Golden Week?
Event Overview (2026)
Key Highlights
•Dates: May 3 (Sunday) to May 5 (Tuesday), 2026.
•Time: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM (closing times may vary by specific activity).
•Location: "Machinaka" area (city center), including the Minamisatsuma City Hall and Shimin Koryu Hiroba.
•Note: In recent years, the venue has moved from the beach to the city center to integrate with the local community.
•Cost: Free admission for the main city center event.
•2026 Theme: "Sand Walk – Castle Stories Created with Sand" (Suna Sanpo ~Suna de tsukuru shiro monogatari~).
•Massive Sculptures: Professional and amateur artists, including local students, create sculptures that can exceed 10 meters in height.
•Night Illuminations: The sculptures are lit up after dark, creating a magical atmosphere.
•Local Culture: The festival includes stage performances, concerts, and workshops.
•Food & Shopping: Numerous stalls feature local Kagoshima delicacies like Kagoshima black pork (kurobuta), chicken dishes, and local shochu from the city's seven breweries.
•By Bus: Approximately 90 minutes from JR Kagoshima-Chuo Station.
•By Car: About 50 minutes from Kagoshima-Chuo Station or 70 minutes from Kagoshima Airport. Free parking is typically available.
Updated at 18 Mar 2026