Every year during Japan’s Golden Week holiday, the quiet coastal town of Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture transforms into a vibrant open-air art village during the Hayama Art & Music Festival. Now in its 33rd year, this community-driven festival brings together local artists, musicians, and residents to celebrate creativity through exhibitions, workshops, markets, and performances across the entire town.
In this guide, we’ll introduce a perfect one-day itinerary for first-time visitors and highlight some of the most engaging workshops and art spots to check out during your stay in Hayama.
Table of Contents
1. What is the Hayama Art & Music Festival?
2. Recommended Workshops (Minna no Kikaku / Community-led Events)
・No.114 – Make Your Own Ginger Ale
・No.74 – Paint with Alcohol Ink
・No.71 – Natural Dye Art & Workshop at ATELIER MUTAKA
・No.24 – Create Your Own Botanical Cosmetics
・Workshop Listings
3. Don’t Miss: The “Aozora Art Market”
4. Explore Art in Nature at The Museum of Modern Art, Hayama
6. Tips for Enjoying the Hayama Art & Music Festival
・Get the Official Guidebook
・Festival Info Booth
・Opening Day Events
・What to Wear & Bring
1. What is the Hayama Art & Music Festival?
First launched in 1993, the Hayama Art & Music Festival is a beloved spring tradition in Hayama. The festival brings together over 100 venues spread throughout the town (and neighboring Zushi and Yokosuka) to host “Open Ateliers,” hands-on workshops, art markets, musical performances, and more.
Festival Period: April 19 (Sat) – May 11 (Sun), 2025
Venues: Throughout Hayama and nearby areas (Zushi to Yokosuka) – approx. 135 locations
Official Website, Official Instagram
2. Recommended Workshops (Minna no Kikaku / Community-led Events)
Throughout the festival, many artists open their studios to the public, offering unique workshops where visitors can create original crafts, foods, or art. It’s a rare chance to step inside private studios and local spaces like share houses, while meeting artists and learning about their creative processes.
No.114 – Make Your Own Ginger Ale
Held in collaboration with the ginger ale specialty shop Kohodo and the seaside villa “Nowhere but Hayama,” this workshop lets you create a flavorful ginger ale with fresh spices inside a beautiful traditional house by the sea (normally closed to the public!).
Dates: May 10 & 11, 2025
Time: 11:00–12:30 / 14:00–15:30 (Reservation required)
Fee: ¥3,000
Location: Nowhere but Hayama (2112 Isshiki, Hayama)
Click here for application form
No.74 – Paint with Alcohol Ink
Using over 200 colors of alcohol ink, this meditative art experience lets you express your inner feelings through color. Share your final piece with the group and take it home as a memory.
Dates: April 29, May 3 & 6
Time: 10:30–12:00 / 13:30–15:00 (Reservation required)
Fee: ¥4,400
Location: Near Hayama Town Hall (1329 Isshiki, Hayama)
Click here for application form
No.71 – Natural Dye Art & Workshop at ATELIER MUTAKA
Enjoy a fabric dyeing installation created using local plants as part of the “Hayama Momozome Project.” The resulting subtle gradations are both natural and beautiful.
Dates: April 28 – May 4 (11:00–16:00, April 29: 13:00–16:00)
Fee: Free admission / Workshop: ¥2,500
Location: Iyashiro Hutte Tanaka-no-Ie (1286-2 Horiuchi, Hayama)
No.24 – Create Your Own Botanical Cosmetics
Design your own scented nail oil using a selection of essential oils. After the workshop, relax with herbal tea and enjoy a tarot card session.
Dates: April 26 & May 3
Time: 13:00–15:00
Fee: ¥3,000
Location: HAYAMA AROMANCE (2F Hayama Marina, 50-2 Horiuchi, Hayama)
Workshop Listings
There are many more workshops suitable for all ages and interests – whether you’re visiting with kids, friends, or solo.
Find the full workshop list here.
3. Don’t Miss: The “Aozora Art Market”
Held at Moriyama Shrine, this lively outdoor market is a must-visit! Browse stalls by local artisans, enjoy delicious street food, and soak up the festive atmosphere under the blue sky.
Aozora Art Market
Dates: April 19–20 & May 10–11, 2025
Location: Moriyama Shrine (2165 Isshiki, Hayama) Google Map
4. Explore Art in Nature at The Museum of Modern Art, Hayama
Hayama offers a unique harmony of art and nature. Visit beachside exhibitions, renovated folk houses, and even live music by the sea. A highlight is The Museum of Modern Art, Hayama, one of Kanagawa’s top cultural destinations, known for its bold exhibitions and serene coastal views.
Address: 2208 Isshiki, Hayama, Kanagawa Google Map
Official Website
5. One-Day Sample Itinerary
10:00 – Start from JR Zushi Station → Take a bus toward Hayama, Recommend starting from Moriyama Shrine area
10:30 – Stop by Moriyama Shrine to grab a festival map
11:00 – Explore artist studios and local galleries
12:30 – Lunch at a local café or deli (look for seasonal menus!)
14:00 – Join a workshop (make sure to book in advance!)
17:00 – Relax at Isshiki Beach before heading home – on clear days, you might even spot Mt. Fuji
6. Tips for Enjoying the Hayama Art & Music Festival
▶︎ Get the Official Guidebook
Available as a PDF online or at select venues. It includes all the artist and venue info you’ll need.
Main Inquiries: Hayama Art & Music Festival Committee
📧 contact@hayama-artfes.org
▶︎ Festival Info Booth
During Golden Week, a special info booth will be set up in central Hayama with volunteers and organizers offering real-time recommendations.
▶︎ Opening Day Events
Don’t miss the vibrant opening weekend at Moriyama Shrine!
Day 1: Outdoor concerts into the evening >Click here for the program
Day 2: Youth Day, organized by the younger generation of Hayama >Click here for the program
Dates: April 19–20, 2025
Location: Moriyama Shrine (2165 Isshiki, Hayama) Google Map
▶︎ What to Wear & Bring
Dress casually and comfortably – some workshops can get messy!
Aprons, socks (for removing shoes indoors), and walking shoes are recommended
Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen will help you enjoy the outdoors
7. How to Get There
By Train:
From JR Zushi Station or Keikyu Zushi-Hayama Station, take a local bus toward Hayama or Yokosuka.
By Car:
Take the Daisan Keihin → Yokohama-Yokosuka Road → Zuyo Road to reach Hayama.
However, parking is limited and often crowded during the festival, so public transport is recommended.
Hayama Art & Music Festival is a rare chance to experience creativity that’s both vibrant and personal – nestled between the sea and mountains. Whether you’re wandering through open studios or enjoying art by the beach, this festival offers a heartfelt and memorable journey.
Don’t miss this uniquely Hayama experience – come celebrate art in nature this spring!
*All workshop images courtesy of Hayama Art & Music Festival Official Website.
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