10 Cultural Events in Ibaraki Prefecture That You Shouldn't Miss

This event is said to have started when people carrying lanterns out to greet the priests of Nogi Shrine-formerly part of the Koga domain-on their return from a "Tour of the 7 Villages" that fell under the shrine's authority began rubbing their bodies together to stave off the cold. Even today this is called "Okaeri" (welcome back) and is well known by many people. An enclosure called "yarai" is constructed by assembling logs in a specially-designated event area in front of Koga Station. Inside this area, teams of roughly 20 young people support nearly 20-meter long bamboo poles with lanterns attached at the top, and attempt to extinguish their opponents' lanterns while aggressively slamming together. Embers scatter from colliding lanterns in an energetic and high-intensity display.

In early June, the lovely Itako Riverside Iris Park in Itako, Ibaraki sees about 1 million irises bloom in 500 varieties. To celebrate, the Suigo Itako Iris Festival has been held from late May to late June every year since 1952. During the festival, a variety of events unique to Itako are held, such as the Yomeiri-Bune ("Bride on a Boat"), mentioned in the 1960 hit song "Itako Hanayome-san," and the traditional Ayame Dance (Dance of the Irises). The festival also features the Ro-bune rowboats, used as transportation since ancient times, providing plenty of opportunities to sightsee along the Mae River.

Held in the Kodokan building and the Kairaku-en gardens, famed for their ume plum blossoms, this festival is a traditional sign of spring in Mito. Kairaku-en features over 3,000 plum trees in 100 varieties, with each species blossoming at different times for a long-lasting time for blossom viewing. A variety of events are held at the festival, including open-air tea ceremonies, a photography festival, and hina-nagashi doll boats. In the event known as "Yoru, Ume, Matsuri," the entire park is illuminated by candlelight, creating an unearthly atmosphere. The fireworks are also a high point.

The Ume Matsuri is held at the Mt. Tsukuba Plum Forest. The mountain is beautifully colored by the red and white blossoms of about 1,000 plum trees, including a variety that has white blossoms and a green center called ryokugakubai. The Plum Forest is at an altitude of 250 meters, offering a view of the Tsukuba skyline below. Mt. Fuji and Tokyo Skytree are visible in the distance on sunny days. During the event, there is complimentary plum tea, sales performances by Tsukuba's famous toad oil sellers, and gourmet foods made with plums and other local specialties are on sale, drawing large crowds of visitors.

This 3-day summer festival is held every year on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in August. There are separate venues in the Uwaichi area to the northwest of the Mito Station and the Shimoichi area to the southeast, and there is a Mito Komon parade starring entertainers, a portable shrine procession, and stage events with singing and dancing. There is also a fireworks display during the event, with more than 4,500 fireworks launched over Senba Lake. It is highlighted by unique fireworks with creative designs and extra-large star mines.

The Ishioka Matsuri is formally called "Hitachi no Kuni Sojagu Taisai," and this most important of Hitachi no Kuni Soshagu's festivals is a collective effort by the citizens of Ishioka. It is counted among the three greatest festivals in the Kanto region, and it is visited by as many as 400,000 tourists during the 3-day event. It is the largest festival using floats in Ibaraki Prefecture, and the parade of more than 40 portable shrines through the center of town is an impressive sight, featuring an elegant portable shrine bearing the chrysanthemum crest used by the Imperial Family, a large procession of portable shrines, and a lion dance procession.

The deep sea fish called "anko" in Japanese (the goosefish or monkfish) is a representative fish of Ibaraki Prefecture, and ankonabe (goosefish stew) from the town of Oarai is a famous winter dish. The Oarai Anko Matsuri is held every year in November to celebrate the charms of the goosefish. At the festival venue, goosefish soup served from an enormous pot is on sale, and there are a variety of stage events, including live demonstrations of filleting a hanging goosefish. There are also local specialty products on sale, folk entertainment performances, and shows featuring heroes for children as well, attracting large crowds of visitors.

This festival is held every year on March 9th at Ibaraki Prefecture's Kashima Shrine, which is dedicated to Takemikazuchi no Okami, patron deity of the founding of Japan and the martial arts. It is the largest festival to pray for good harvests held in a shrine, and its origins are said to go back as far as the Nara period. Lead by a five-year old child dressed in a suit of armor in the role of the military governor, a group of 150 to 300 children in traditional costumes form ranks from the left and right, and make a stirring sight as they march to the shrine. Along the way, they repeatedly strike together the 2-meter oak rods they carry while slowly marching to the rhythm of the drums.