Hiratsuka

Famous for its annual Tanabata Festival, Hiratsuka is a pretty coastal town in Kanagawa Prefecture. Tanabata, a major summer festival celebrated in Japan, is a big deal and Hiratsuka sees itself every July transformed into a giant, festive playground with a myriad of food stalls, yukata-clad attendees and kids enjoying the fun and electric atmosphere which attracts people from near and far.

Hiratsuka is also known for being a cultural hub and it hosts the Hiratsuka Museum of Art which is bigger than you first think. With a small and intimate garden with small sculptures and a rooftop terrace, it's a pleasant way to become acquainted with local and international artists. Hiratsuka Kana Garden is another way to see and sample some of the local delights with this flower garden being one of the city's top attractions due to its beauty and range of nature on display.