The first festival of the year held in Minamicho. Spectators gather along Ohama Beach to watch as the first sun of the year rises above the ocean. At the same time, the "Hiwasa Daiko" group performs on the beach. It is an exhilarating way to welcome in the new year! 

Held on 1st January every year between 5:00AM and 8:00AM

Held from January 1st to January 3rd, is the first temple visit of the year at Yakuoji Temple. As it is famous for "yakuyoke" or "warding off evil", many people will visit the temple to protect themselves against misfortune. There are two staircases, one with 33 steps for women, one with 42 steps for men (as these numbers are considered the "unlucky years" for each gender) and visitors will drop a one yen coin on each step for extra protection.

There are Twelve Heavenly Generals that protect Yakushi Nyorai (god of curing illness - enshrined in Yakuoji Temple). It is said that each Heavenly General rules one of the 12 Chinese Zodiac signs, and those with a sickness can be saved by the general of their respective Zodiac sign. On the day of the festival, a large bonfire is lit, and approximately 30 monks under the jurisdiction of Yakuoji Temple will repeat the Daihanya-kyo Sutra. It is a rich and traditional festival. 

Held on 11th and 12th of February. 

Yakuoji Temple is also famous for its Sakura flowers that bloom around and inside the temple grounds. During the festival there are koto (traditional Japanese instrument) performances and tea is handed out as offerings. The temple and Hiwasa Castle are lit up by around 500 lanterns between 18:30 and 22:30. 

Held every year during Spring (early March to early April).

This ceremony takes place at the Sea Turtle Museum Caretta every year to pray for the safe arrival of Sea Turtles to Ohama Beach. PR characters for the town, Otohime and Urashima, as well as the Kame Family (Turtle Family) take part in the festival. Firstly, the head priest of Hiwasa Hachiman Shrine will perform a ritual prayer, and finally the ceremony will move to Ohama Beach where offerings are made. It is a light-hearted and fun ceremony hosted by Minami Town Tourist Association to celebrate the beginning of the tourist season in Minami Town.

Held in mid-May

Hiwasa's summer festival to give thanks to the sea turtles arriving in Ohama Beach, includes performances, food and games, as well as a fireworks display along the Hiwasa River. 

Held every year in mid July.

The Umigame Triathlon is held every year in July. Participants will swim 1.5km in Ohama Beach, cycle 40km along the Minami Awa Sunline, and finally run 10km around the town of Hiwasa. It is the perfect combination of nature and sports!

The Hiwasa Hachiman Autumn Festival has a history of over 200 years. It is a unique festival that lasts 2 days. On the first day, 8 portable shrines are pulled around the town to collect offerings. On the second day is the main event, where the shrines (which weigh around 1 tonne each) are carried around the grounds of Hachiman Shrine and then in to the ocean at Ohama Beach. It is the largest Autumn festival in Tokushima Prefecture.

Held in mid-October

The Akamatsu Fireworks Festival is held in October at Akamatsu Shrine, to pray for good fortune and safety in the home. Many different firework types are made by hand for this festival, including those attached to portable shrines which are then carried around the Shrine grounds. The finale is the lighting of a firework attached to a large pole in the centre of the Shrine grounds. Participants in the festival will then circle the pole, while the firework sparks shower down on them, chanting "Dekitan, Doshitan". 

Held in Mid-October

This festival is held every year at the end of October to pray for a bountiful fishing season, as well as to revitalize the small town of Yuki. Local, fresh seafood caught in Yuki fishing harbor is sold at low prices, often lower than market price, therefore there are often long queues.