A summer festival in the Suigo region, featuring 14 dashi and Itako Bayashi
Itako Gion Festival
The 2026 edition of Itako Gion Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/07 〜 2026/08/09Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year for 3 days, from the first Friday through Sunday of August / Every year
- Location
- Soga Kumano Shrine and the Itako district
- Area
- Ibaraki Prefecture・Itako 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
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Itako Gion Festival is a summer festival held in the Itako district as the annual grand festival of Soga Kumano Shrine. 14 parade through town, while geza-ren musicians aboard them play Itako Bayashi.
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Σ64 File:Itako Gion Festival, Ibaraki 14.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: katorisi File:Hamacyo,itako-gion-festival,itako-city,japan.JPG / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Σ64 File:Itako Gion Festival, Ibaraki 12.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.About Itako Gion Festival
The Itako Gion Festival is the annual grand festival held at Soga Kumano Shrine in Itako City.
For 3 days in August, 14 dashi parade through the Itako district, with geza-ren musicians aboard playing Itako Bayashi.
Dashi carrying large figures and festival traditions passed down through the community bring summer to life in Itako.
Source: 潮来祇園祭禮 - Wikipedia / お祭り委員会について | 潮来祇園祭禮紹介 | 潮来お祭り委員会 茨城県潮来市
Festival highlights
Highlights include 14 lavishly decorated dashi parading through town and the “no-no-ji mawashi,” in which a dashi spins around.
The dashi feature intricate carvings and large figures; some carry figures over 4 meters tall.
Live performances of Itako Bayashi by geza-ren musicians are another major highlight that adds to the festival’s excitement.
Source: いばらき夏のお祭り特集2026／茨城県
A summer festival in the Suigo region, featuring 14 dashi and Itako Bayashi
What to expect
The festival begins with the ohama-kudari procession of 2 , followed by 14 dashi parading through the Itako district.
Geza-ren musicians aboard the dashi perform Itako Bayashi live, playing a variety of tunes to suit the occasion.
At locations such as the area in front of the station, dashi perform kuruma-biki maneuvers such as the “no-no-ji mawashi” and “soroban-biki.” A is also performed in Sanchome.
Source: 潮来祇園祭禮（2026年） | 伝統と華やかさが融合！ 「潮来祇園祭禮」開催情報 | 茨城県潮来市 | いこーよとりっぷ
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
参加費：無料
Location and access
- Venue and address
Soga Kumano Shrine and the Itako district (1337 Itako, Itako City, Ibaraki Prefecture)
- Train and bus
Take the JR Kashima Line to Itako Station. The venue is just a short walk away.
- By car
About 10 minutes from Itako IC on the Higashi-Kanto Expressway.
- Parking
Free municipal parking is available.
Please use a nearby parking lot.
Source: 【地図・アクセス】 - 潮来祇園祭禮(茨城県潮来市) - 夏休みおでかけガイド2026
Address 1337 Itako, Itako City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 Festival Information (The listed dates have passed)
In 2026, the festival was held from August 7 (Fri) through August 9 (Sun).
It is usually held for 3 days, from the first Friday through Sunday of August.
For detailed times for the dashi procession and individual events, check that year’s guide map or schedule.
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 / Itako City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As the dashi parade through the Itako district, please watch from a place that does not obstruct other pedestrians or the movements of the pullers.
If you arrive by car, use a nearby municipal parking lot and be aware of congestion around the festival area.
Information on tracking the dashi is available on the official website.
Nearby attractions
Suigo Itako Iris Garden
茨城県潮来市にある公園
Official information
Official information is available on the Itako Festival Committee website.
The site includes the 2026 guide map, dashi route information, and festival announcements.
Source: お知らせ | 潮来お祭り委員会 茨城県潮来市
Itako Gion Festival at a Glance
The Itako Gion Festival is the annual grand festival of Soga Kumano Shrine, a summer celebration that brings the Itako district to life with 14 dashi and Itako Bayashi.
Highlights include the dashi procession, featuring large figures, and kuruma-biki maneuvers such as the “no-no-ji mawashi.”
In 2026, the festival was held from August 7 through the 9th, and the venue is just a short walk from Itako Station.
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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