A summer festival at the foot of Mount Tsukuba, with mikoshi and dashi bringing Hojo to life
Hojo Gion Festival
The 2026 edition of Hojo Gion Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/25 〜 2026/07/26Ended
- Season / frequency
- Late July / Every year
- Location
- Hojo district, centered on the central road through Hojo Shopping Street (within Prefectural Route Ishioka-Tsukuba)
- Area
- Ibaraki Prefecture・Tsukuba 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.
- Features
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A summer festival at the foot of Mount Tsukuba, featuring the main from Yasaka Shrine and from each neighborhood parading through Hojo. Local traditions include the giant triangular mikoshi “Hibikishishi” and dashi featuring hyottoko masks.
About Hojo Gion Festival
The Hojo Gion Festival is a festival of Yasaka Shrine in Hojo, in northern Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
The main mikoshi and dashi parade through the town, carrying on as a summer event closely tied to Hojo’s local culture.
It takes place over 2 days, Yoigion and Hongion, with each neighborhood association bringing out its own mikoshi and dashi.
Source: 北条祇園祭 - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The highlight is the parade of mikoshi and dashi through the town, led by the main mikoshi, “Tenno-sama.”
Among them, the large triangular mikoshi known as “Hibikishishi” appears as a symbol of the festival.
In Yokomachi, you can also see dashi decorated with hyottoko masks, and enjoy the festival’s distinct character in each neighborhood.
Source: 令和8年つくば市北条、夏の祇園祭り。7月25日(土)、26日(日)開催します!｜お知らせ｜筑波山麓北条（北条街づくりポータルサイト） / 7月26日(土)、27日（日）北条の祇園祭り開催！｜お知らせ｜筑波山麓北条（北条街づくりポータルサイト）
A summer festival at the foot of Mount Tsukuba, with mikoshi and dashi bringing Hojo to life
What to expect
At the festival, the main mikoshi from Yasaka Shrine and the mikoshi and dashi of each neighborhood association head out into the town and parade through Hojo.
The first day is called Yoigion, and the following day is called Hongion, with different scenes unfolding over the 2 days.
People, mikoshi, and dashi gather along the main street, offering a chance to watch the local festival up close.
Location and access
- Venue and address
It takes place mainly along the central road through Hojo Shopping Street (within Prefectural Route Ishioka-Tsukuba).
- Train and bus
From Tsukuba Station on the Tsukuba Express, take the Tsuku Bus Hokubu Shuttle or Oda Shuttle to Tsukuba Madoguchi Center, then walk about 10 minutes.
- By car
The central road through Hojo Shopping Street is scheduled to close to traffic from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 25, 2026 (Saturday), and from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on July 26 (Sunday).
Event venue 茨城県つくば市 北条商店街の中心道路を中心とする北条地区
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 event was listed as taking place on July 25 (Saturday) and the 26th (Sunday).
The Hojo Gion Festival is held over 2 days in late July each year; the first day is called Yoigion and the second Hongion.
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 / Tsukuba City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
In 2026, the central road through Hojo Shopping Street is scheduled to close to traffic during certain hours, so allow plenty of time if driving and avoid the closure periods.
The festival takes place during the hot weather in late July.
Mikoshi and dashi pass through the parade route, so please follow directions from staff and local guidance when watching.
Nearby attractions
Hojo lies at the foot of Mount Tsukuba and is a place to experience the area’s history and natural surroundings.
Hojo Oike is introduced as a place to visit during cherry blossom season, while Mount Tsukuba is a natural landmark in the area that draws visitors during the autumn foliage season.
If you plan to visit alongside the festival, check the latest information from each facility and on transportation.
Source: 【徹底解説】4年ぶり開催！2023年 つくば市北条 祇園祭(八坂神社) | さとけん.com
地図と測量の科学館
茨城県つくば市にある科学館
地質標本館
茨城県つくば市にある博物館
松見公園
つくば市の公園
研究学園駅前公園
茨城県つくば市にある地区公園
筑波実験植物園
茨城県つくば市にある植物の研究機関
筑波山神社
茨城県つくば市にある神社
Origins and History of Hojo Gion Festival
The Hojo Gion Festival is a festival held at Yasaka Shrine in Hojo, Tsukuba City.
It was once fixed to July 24 and 25, but was changed in the mid-Heisei period to the 4th Saturday and Sunday, so the dates now vary by year.
In recent years, the dashi and mikoshi parades have been suspended in some years, and the festival has continued amid the effects of local conditions and weather.
Official information
The 2026 event information is posted on the Hojo Machizukuri Portal for Hojo at the foot of Mount Tsukuba.
The information includes the dates, the mikoshi and dashi at the heart of the festival, and the hours of road closures in the shopping district.
Hojo Gion Festival at a Glance
The Hojo Gion Festival is a summer festival in northern Tsukuba City, where the main mikoshi and dashi parade through Hojo, starting at Yasaka Shrine.
Highlights include the giant triangular mikoshi “Hibikishishi” and dashi featuring hyottoko masks, each reflecting the character of its neighborhood.
The festival was scheduled for July 25 and 26 in 2026, with timed road closures planned in the shopping district.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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