Watch giant traditional kites take flight at this spectacular kite festival. What happens? Held at the Sagamigawa riverbed, the festival features four districts flying kites of different sizes. The largest, the Shindo Giant Kite, holds the record for the longest flight of a traditional large kite (6 hours, 7 minutes, 55 seconds). Each kite is made from scratch annually using bamboo frames and handmade Japanese paper, decorated with characters chosen by the community to represent their hopes and dreams. Look easy? Flying just one of these giant kites requires 80–100 people and super-specific wind conditions. How to get there The event takes place at the Shindo Sports Open Space. From Shinjuku Station, take the Odakyu Line Rapid-Express until Machida Station, then switch to the express train headed for Isehara. After about 15 minutes, you'll arrive at Ebina Station, where you'll need to switch to the local Sagami Line train for Hashimoto. Get off at Sobudaishita Station, then walk for around 17 minutes to the venue. The entire journey takes around 90 minutes.