Asō’s prayers, carried on through the procession and the face-off between horse and mikoshi
Asō Gion Umadashi Festival
The 2026 edition of Asō Gion Umadashi Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/25 〜 2026/07/26Ended
- Season / frequency
- The last Saturday and Sunday of July each year / Every year
- Location
- Yasaka and the surrounding districts and horse grounds
- Area
- Ibaraki Prefecture・Namegata City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 10 min–1 h 30 min · limited express)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
A traditional festival centered on Yasaka Jinja in Asō, Namegata City, featuring a procession and a face-off between a horse and mikoshi at the horse grounds.
About Asō Gion Umadashi Festival
The Asō Gion Umadashi Festival is a traditional festival centered on Yasaka Jinja in Asō, Namegata City.
After the establishment of the Asō Domain, Yasaka Jinja was enshrined as the chief guardian shrine of the domain’s 24 villages.
The festival is said to have been held either to pray for peace throughout the land and an abundant harvest, or to have begun with the training of horses for battle.
The festival is now held mainly in the Furuyado and Nitta districts.
Festival highlights
Highlights include the evening festival procession and the face-off between the horse and mikoshi at the main festival.
On the first day, a procession led by the mikoshi, with children in ceremonial attire and shrine priests, makes its way through the district.
On the second day, a spirited battle unfolds at the horse grounds between a horse representing Yamata no Orochi and the mikoshi.
The pairing of horse and mikoshi, which is also reflected in the festival’s name, is a distinctive scene.
Asō’s prayers, carried on through the procession and the face-off between horse and mikoshi
What to expect
The festival takes place over 2 days.
During the evening festival on the first day, a procession of the mikoshi, children in ceremonial attire, and shrine priests makes its way through the district.
At the main festival on the second day, a horse representing Yamata no Orochi faces off against the mikoshi at the horse grounds in a spirited battle.
The procession and events at the horse grounds together shape the course of the festival.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Yasaka Jinja, 420 Asō, Namegata City
- Train and bus
JR Kashima Line: Itako Station / JR Narita Line and JR Kashima Line: Sawara Station / 18-minute walk from the Asō Government Office bus stop
Address 420 Asō, Namegata City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 Festival Information (the listed dates have passed)
The announced dates for 2026 were July 25 (Saturday)–26 (Sunday).
It is usually held on the last Saturday and Sunday of July.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Ibaraki Prefecture / Namegata City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
霞ヶ浦ふれあいランド
茨城県行方市にあるレジャー施設
Origins and History of Asō Gion Umadashi Festival
After the Shinjō clan established the Asō Domain in Keichō 9 (1604), Yasaka Jinja was enshrined as the chief guardian shrine of the domain’s 24 villages.
The festival is said to have begun either as a prayer by the Asō Domain lord for peace throughout the land and an abundant harvest, or as training horses for battle.
During the Asō Domain period, the festival was held on the 14th and 15th of lunar calendar: June. After the domain was abolished, it became a festival centered on the Furuyado and Nitta districts.
In November 19, 1990, it was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the city.
Official information
Namegata City Board of Education, Lifelong Learning Division, Culture and Social Education Group
電話：0291-35-2111（代表）
Asō Gion Umadashi Festival at a Glance
The Asō Gion Umadashi Festival is an Intangible Folk Cultural Property designated by the city, held at Yasaka Jinja in Asō, Namegata City.
During the evening festival on the first day, the mikoshi, children in ceremonial attire, and shrine priests process through the district. On the main festival day, the second day, a horse representing Yamata no Orochi faces off against the mikoshi at the horse grounds.
The festival is said to have originated in prayers for peace throughout the land and an abundant harvest, or in training horses for battle. After the domain was abolished, it continued centered on the Furuyado and Nitta districts.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
