Mini Post: Summer Fireworks and Festivals 2025

Summer is finally here! All of you living in Japan know what that means: hot weather, kakigori, watermelons, the beach, and most importantly, festivals! A lot of festivals have already kicked off last week. The Ushiku Kappa Matsuri was a lot of fun with a few kappas roaming around town.
The Hojo Summer Festival was a blast. I carried a mikoshi through the town while crowds were cheering us on. My shoulders are still sore while I write this post.
Even though those festivals were great, there are still more to come. Here is some info on some upcoming festivals.

Mito Komon Festival

Where: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KxSDpHuR3o9wH1D17
When: August 2nd-3rd
Time: 11:00-21:00
One of Ibaraki's biggest festivals, full of mikoshi, dashi, live dances, and a huge lantern parade at the end.
https://mitokoumon.com/koumon/honsai.html#lantern

Tsuchiura Kirara Festival

Where: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kj5utwS2L55a8jXF6
When: August 2nd-3rd
Time: 15:00-21:30
A huge festival in Tsuchiura that features a dance parade and impressive-looking parade floats.
https://www.tsuchiura-kankou.jp/whats_new/%E5%9C%9F%E6%B5%A6%E3%82%AD%E3%83%A9%E3%83%A9%E3%81%BE%E3%81%A4%E3%82%8A2025/

Hitachinaka Festival

Where: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZYUxSS6PtGiA95r77
When: August 13th-14th
Time: Saturday 19:00-20:30 Sunday 11:00-21:00
This festival has a huge fireworks display launched from the Self Defense Force base on Saturday. Sunday, the festival takes place near Katsuta Station with live performances and huge parade floats roaming the streets.
https://www.hitachinaka-fes.com/index.html

Toride Tone River Fireworks Festival

Where: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fgdnz4rH5qh5KEJL9
When: August 9th
Time: 19:00-20:30
This is the biggest fireworks festival in Toride. People from surrounding prefectures come to Toride to check it out.
https://www.toride-kankou.net/page/page000096.html

Ushiku Daibutsu Fireworks Festival

Where: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mwLoUYSfmr7tjrsQA
When: August 15th
Time: 19:00-21:00
The huge Buddha statue in Ushiku is lit up with thousands of rounds of amazing fireworks for one night in summer.
https://hanabi.cloud/html/Kanto/ibaraki/2025/2025-08-15_ushiku-daibutsu-mandoue.html

Matsuri Tsukuba

Where: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eRUxJs3KtBUziSfz9
When: August 23rd-24th
Time: 12:00-21:00
Matsuri Tsukuba brings on the Nebuta. A huge lit-up parade float with artistic and amazing designs. You can check out the nebuta on the main street near the station.
https://www.matsuri-tsukuba.com/

I hope my little matsuri list here helps you decide where to party during summer. I'll be at some of these festivals myself. Enjoy the fireworks and festivals. Happy Matsuring!