The Hitachinokuni Sosha-gu Reitaisai, widely known as the Ishioka Festival and counted among the three great festivals of the Kanto region, takes place over four days on September 15 (Tuesday), 19 (Saturday), 20 (Sunday), and 21 (Monday, a public holiday), 2026.
On September 15, the Reisai, the most important Shinto rite of the festival, is held at the main hall of Hitachinokuni Sosha-gu. This day involves religious rites only, with no public sightseeing events.
About the Hitachinokuni Sosha-gu Reitaisai
Known locally as the Ishioka Festival, the Hitachinokuni Sosha-gu Reitaisai is designated an intangible folk cultural property and has been passed down for more than 300 years since the Edo period. It unfolds through the historic old town of Ishioka, home to the ruins of the ancient provincial capital and distinctive signboard-style (kanban-kenchiku) storefronts. A grand mikoshi decorated with a 16-petal chrysanthemum crest, 12 dashi floats playing Ishioka-bayashi music, and 32 horo-jishi lion dance floats parade energetically through the streets. Held by parish residents to pray for a good harvest, good health, and traffic safety, the festival draws more than 500,000 visitors every year, with last year's 2025 festival drawing over 530,000 visitors across three days.
Hitachinokuni Sosha-gu
Hitachinokuni Sosha-gu is a shrine in Ishioka City, Ibaraki, offering views of both Mount Tsukuba and Lake Kasumigaura. About 1,300 years ago, this area was home to the kokufu, the provincial capital of Hitachi Province, roughly equivalent to today's prefectural capital. Large-scale excavations in recent years identified the site of the kokuga, the center of the provincial government office, and the area was designated a national historic site as the Hitachi Kokufu Ruins in 2010. Hitachinokuni Sosha-gu was founded next to the kokuga as a sosha, a shrine that gathers deities enshrined across the province in one place near the government office. Fifty-five such sosha shrines have been confirmed nationwide.
This Year's Highlights
This year's toban, the town responsible for hosting the festival, is Morikicho. During the Reitaisai, 15 of Sosha-gu's 36 parish towns take turns each year serving as the toban town, building the okariya, a temporary shrine that welcomes the deity. This year's toban town, Morikicho, is the first of the 15 towns in the rotation.
In front of the okariya, the grand mikoshi gathers together with more than 30 horo-jishi lion dance floats, 12 dashi floats, and the sasara, the festival's only performance of its kind. Highlights include Morikicho's own dashi float featuring Sugawara no Michizane and its horo-jishi lion float decorated with the character "mo." Also on display will be Morikicho's Odori Yatai, a dance stage float that was recently designated a tangible folk cultural property.
Five Initiatives for a Safe and Comfortable Festival Experience
The Hitachinokuni Sosha-gu Sairei Preservation Society for Lion, Dashi, and Sasara Traditions is introducing the following initiatives so visitors can enjoy the festival safely and comfortably.
1. Reserved Grandstand Seating
Special reserved grandstand seating is being set up along Miyuki-dori, the street offering the closest view of the dashi floats and lion dances. Wrapped in the soft glow of lanterns, it offers a prime spot to enjoy the festival, with guides well-versed in the festival on hand to explain the floats, lion dances, and the history and highlights of the celebration.
Location: Behind the Machikado Information Center (3-1-16 Kokufu, Ishioka City)
Times: Four sessions per day (1) 1:00 PM to 2:45 PM, (2) 3:00 PM to 4:45 PM, (3) 5:00 PM to 6:45 PM, (4) 7:00 PM to 8:45 PM
Price: Advance tickets 4,400 yen (tax included); same-day tickets 5,000 yen (tax included)
Seats: Limited to 48 seats per session; reserve through the Ishioka City Tourism Association's official online store
The event goes ahead rain or shine, though sessions may be cancelled or changed in severe weather.
Details: https://www.ishioka-kankou.com/topics/tokubetsu-kanran/
Recommended viewing times for grandstand seating
Day 1 (19th), Shinko-sai: from 1:00 PM (the procession departs Sosha-gu at 2:00 PM)
Day 2 (20th), Hoshuku-sai: from 3:00 PM (grand horo-jishi lion dance parade), from 7:00 PM (grand dashi float parade)
Day 3 (21st), Kanko-sai: from 1:00 PM (the procession departs the okariya at 2:00 PM), from 7:00 PM (the handover of the toban role takes place in front of the grandstand seating)
2. First Aid Station
A first aid station will be set up inside the security headquarters in case anyone feels unwell or gets injured. Visitors who feel unwell or are injured during the festival are encouraged to speak with staff.
Location: Inside the security headquarters (1F, 1-3-5 Fuchu, Ishioka City, Ibaraki 315-0013)
Hours: 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM
3. Free Fans
Free fans will be distributed as a measure against the heat, while supplies last, so visitors can stay comfortable throughout the festival.
Distribution hours: 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM, or while supplies last
4. Traffic Restrictions and Access
Large-scale traffic restrictions will be in effect in central Ishioka City from around 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM during the festival. Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation where possible. Those driving are asked to check the information on temporary parking lots in advance.
Access: https://ishiokamatsuri.com/access-map/
Parking information: https://ishiokamatsuri.com/access/
5. A Request for Safety and Good Manners
As large crowds are expected, visitors are asked to stay hydrated regularly as a precaution against heatstroke. Visitors are also asked to take their trash home with them and follow staff instructions to enjoy the festival safely. Alcohol consumption by minors is prohibited by law and strictly forbidden.
Event Overview
Name: Hitachinokuni Sosha-gu Reitaisai (Ishioka Festival)
Schedule: September 15 (Tuesday), 19 (Saturday), 20 (Sunday), and 21 (Monday, a public holiday), 2026
The 15th involves religious rites only, with no public sightseeing events.
Venue: Central Ishioka City and the area around Hitachinokuni Sosha-gu, Ibaraki
Toban town: Morikicho
Visitors: More than 500,000 every year (531,000 over three days in 2025)
Organizer: Hitachinokuni Sosha-gu Sairei Preservation Society for Lion, Dashi, and Sasara Traditions
Cooperation: Ishioka City, Ishioka City Tourism Association, Ishioka Chamber of Commerce and Industry
