Oarai Hassaku Festival

About this event

Known as a seasonal tradition at the end of summer, the Oarai Hassaku Festival is a traditional festival praying for peace across the four seas and bountiful harvests. Every year on August 25, Shinto rituals are conducted at Oarai Isosaki Shrine, and on either the preceding or following Saturday, the Yoimatsuri is held with festival floats parading through town. At Sunday's Honmatsuri, the stretch from Magarimatsu Shopping Street to Onuki Shopping Street becomes a pedestrian paradise, presenting a variety of events such as food and game stalls, float processions, mikoshi portable shrine parades, and the Isobushi dance parade. This festival was revived in recent years by local residents with the sentiment of "loving Oarai forever," drawing crowds from both within and outside the town. The Oarai Hassaku Festival has deep historical roots as a ritual tied to ancient mythology where the Kashima and Katori deities marched north to demand the transfer of the land from Onamuchi-no-Mikoto, enshrined at Oarai Isosaki Shrine; in the past, Shinto priests and attendants from Kashima Jingu Shrine would arrive on horseback on the 1st day of the 8th lunar month to conduct the rites. In modern times, the Shinto rituals are held on August 25 at Oarai Isosaki Shrine, while the Yoimatsuri and Honmatsuri take place mainly around the shopping districts. It is an appealing festival unique to Oarai where you can experience the vibrant atmosphere marking the end of summer.

Venue

Oarai Garupan Gallery

Minatochuo, Oarai, Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki 311-1305