Mini Post: Matsuris in Ibaraki!

Matsuri season is almost upon us! Get ready for omikoshis, dashis, yatais, and music galore. Today's mini post is a small list of upcoming matsuris in Ibaraki to help you decide which one or ones you would like to party at. Let's get started.

Hojo Summer Festival

When: July 27-28th
Where: Hojo Town in Tsukuba City
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gv4ckHYoDbjSMJV37
A small fun party kicking off in Hojo this weekend! Enjoy the local area and the local food stalls. You can also catch me carrying a portable shrine through the streets. Anyone want to join me in carrying the mikoshi?

Tsuchiura Kirara Festival

When: August 3rd-4th
Where: Tsuchiura City
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/awwNcdUTLtq7DV667
A fun festival full of music and dancing. On Saturday, there is a huge dance parade near Tsuchiura station. On Sunday, check out all the parade floats that will be traveling around the streets. My food truck buddies will be selling amazing food at this festival. Hope to see you there.

Ushiku Kappa Festival

When: July 27th-28th
Where: Ushiku City
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/46HDcMkFRuj212EQ9
A festival honoring the cucumber loving kappa? If you are a kappa lover, this is the festival for you. Check out the kappa dance parade that will be happening near Kinrin Park. Ushiku Château is nearby too so you can grab some wine while you're there.

Mito Kommon Festival

When: August 3rd-4th
Where: Mito City
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bBRAFcXJZfA8BzPk9
This festival is huge! The festival goes from Mito station all the way down Route 50 past the Mito Civic Hall. There will be a huge parade on Route 50 and a bunch of things happening all around the street. Great food from the local businesses and tasty matsuri food as well.

Hitachinaka Festival

When: August 18th (Fireworks August 17th)
Where: Hitachinaka City near Katsuta station
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ofGtgwmgLE4vmcfKA
The day after the Hitachinaka fireworks display is the Hitachinaka festival. This festival has a lot going on. There will be live music and dancing at the Tamariba parking area, local businesses will have food stalls selling amazing food, and parade floats will be going up and down the street. I will probably be pulling one of those dashi. Come say hi!

Tsukuba Festival

When: August 24-25th
Where: Tsukuba City around the station area
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kNxWGCw5YQ53hAcYA
The last weekend of August is a huge party in Tsukuba. There are so many things happening around this festival that it is impossible to list them all. A flea market, a humongous food area, a big playground area for kids, and more. At night, the street in front of Tsukuba station is cleared and that is when the nebuta come out. These huge lit up parade floats are a site to see.

Ishioka Festival

When: September 14-16th
Where: Ishioka City
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/t5ouSc52z7PkRnrC6
As matsuri season starts winding down, there is one festival in September that should be experienced by all Ibarakians. The Ishioka Festival is a three-day festival full of shishi lion parade floats that travel all around the city. The festival starts from Ishioka station and goes all the way up Route 227 and beyond. Check out all the different dashi and shishi, if you have a small child and the shishi bites his or her head, your child will have good luck.

I hope this small list helps you decide which matsuris you would like to check out in Ibaraki this summer. Happy Matsuring everyone!