What to do and see in Ibaraki Prefecture, Kanto: The Best Events

The Kanto region's leading fireworks festival, Koga Fireworks features over 20,000 fireworks launched from Koga Golf Links on the banks of the Watarase River. The starmines set off in time to music, wide starmines, and huge 3-shakudama fireworks are particular must-sees. The festival also offers a paid seating area where attendees can lie down on tarps or lounge chairs to watch the show in comfort. The fireworks are launched from the nearby Watarase Flood Plain, an area of rich natural beauty registered under the Ramsar Convention and the perfect place for a picnic before the show.

The Kashima City Fireworks are held on Lake Kitaura, drawing crowds of more than 180,000 spectators in a typical year. About 12,000 fireworks are launched, with a number of must-see displays, including a spectacular series of 108 mortar shells, ultra-large star mines, and star mines that burst at water level, a signature part of any display on the lake. There is also free shuttle bus service from JR Kashima Jingu Station.

This fireworks festival is held in late July at Oarai Sun Beach, a bustling beach with excellent summer access from the heart of the city. The show lights up the night sky with about 3,000 fireworks: big starmines, wide starmines, chains of 10 shakudama fireworks, huge 2-shakudama fireworks, and more. The finale features a cavalcade of starmines set to music-a delightful program bursting with originality.

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.