Get ready for a busy final weekend of February in Shizuoka! We have food festivals like the Oden celebration, opportunities to see early cherry blossoms, and fun hands-on activities for the kids across the prefecture. Don't miss the Children's Bazaar for some playful economics!
See our top picks
Yaizu Shrine Morning Market 'Ichi no Ichi'
Yaizu Shrine Approach
A lively, free morning market packed with local snacks and produce starting early Sunday.
LaQ Master Comes! Let's Play with LaQ!
LaLaport Iwata
An excellent indoor creativity session using LaQ blocks at the mall.
Work Experience & Display of Working Vehicles
Iwata Citizen's Culture Hall "Kataria"
Free displays of real working vehicles that capture the attention of toddlers and preschoolers.
· February 28
10: This outdoor food festival gathers specialty sweet potato vendors from across Japan. It's a great chance to sample unique sweet potato treats and support local producers.It’s a fun, focused food festival that is free for younger elementary kids to attend.
: Shizuoka's famous Oden stalls line the streets, featuring both local specialties and Oden from around the country. Look for the dedicated 'Family Oden Zone'.This is a major local culinary event winding down its run this weekend.
: Kids can try out jobs, earn 'Omusubi Currency,' and then shop! This is a fantastic role-playing opportunity for elementary-aged children.It offers deep, structured role-playing experience for school-aged kids.
WORK EXPERIENCE & DISPLAY OF WORKING VEHICLESFREE : This two-day event features displays of real working vehicles that kids love, plus various hands-on experiences. The vehicle display itself requires no application.Working vehicles are an instant draw for many ages, and much of it is free.
FREE : Get creative with the colorful LaQ building blocks under the guidance of a LaQ Master. Since it's indoors at the mall, it’s a perfect plan if the weather turns.It’s a fantastic indoor activity at a shopping center, perfect for a cold late-February day.
FREE : Witness one of Japan's earliest cherry blossom blooms! The contrast between the vivid pink Kawazu-zakura and the yellow rapeseed flowers lining the river is spectacular for family photos.This is peak season for one of Shizuoka's biggest early spring attractions.
: Enjoy the beautiful early plum blossoms. They often have fun extras like foot baths and sometimes free amazake, making it a cozy outing.It’s one of the last weekends to catch the plum blossoms before the festival ends mid-March.
: This festival features countless handmade Hina dolls displayed throughout the hot spring town as part of the traditional celebration for Girls' Day.It's a unique cultural display happening across a whole town, perfect for sightseeing.
: Experience this spectacular illumination event where you can actually walk on paths made of light. It's a magical nighttime adventure away from the city centers.It’s a massive, immersive light show running both nights this weekend.
HINA MATSURI SPECIAL WORKSHOP 'COMPACT MIRROR DECORATION EXPERIENCE' : A lovely, hands-on craft session where you decorate a compact mirror using traditional *chirimen* fabric for the Hina Matsuri celebration. It's first-come, first-served.It’s a seasonal craft that results in a neat keepsake.
· March 1
1HINA MATSURI SPECIAL DAY : Celebrate Hina Matsuri near the historic Kashiwaya with displays of life-sized dolls and other fun activities like a caricature corner.It’s a dedicated cultural event for Hina Matsuri happening only on Sunday.
Also On· anytime this weekend
4FREE : A unique indoor event where children act as both shopkeepers and customers using special 'Omusubi Currency.' It's a fun, controlled environment to learn basic commerce.It’s a hands-on educational event perfectly suited for Saturday afternoon indoors.
FREE : A quiet, free reading session at the library featuring picture books, stories, and even some songs and hand-clapping games.A perfect, free, low-key event for younger kids on Saturday morning.
FREE : A local market featuring regional sales, food, and planned experience activities across two days at the Freshco Nagaizumi venue.It’s a free-to-enter local market with food and potential kid activities on Saturday.
FREE : This traditional morning market is held on the first and fifteenth of every month, offering fresh produce, local snacks, and kitchen cars for a fun Sunday morning outing.It’s a great early start for Sunday, offering free browsing and local flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Shizuoka this weekend?
This weekend (Feb 28-Mar 01) there are 5 free entry events: The Work Experience & Display of Working Vehicles (Sat), LaQ Master Comes! (Sat), Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (Sat/Sun), Nagaizumi's Just Right Market 2026 Spring (Sat/Sun), and the Yaizu Shrine Morning Market (Sun).
Are there any spring blossom festivals happening?
Yes! This is a great weekend for blossoms. You can visit the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (Kawazu) and the Atami Plum Garden Plum Festival (Atami) both running through Sunday.
What is there for elementary schoolers to do?
The Children's Dream Shopping Street at LaLaport Numazu allows kids to work and shop using special currency, while the Children's Bazaar in Shizuoka City offers similar role-play experiences.
