Oarai Anko Festival

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the anglerfish knife-skill demonstration performed on stage.

Anglerfish soup and local specialties are also sold, giving visitors a chance to enjoy both culinary skill and flavors unique to Oarai.

In recent years, local performing arts, music, and character-related stage events have also been added, making this more than just a food event.

An autumn festival celebrating anglerfish skills and flavors, and the culture of Oarai

What to expect

You can watch stage events while enjoying anglerfish soup and Oarai Town specialties at special tents.

One of the festival’s central events is a demonstration in which an anglerfish is hung up and filleted on stage.

Depending on the year, local performing arts, music, and related events are also included, creating an event you can enjoy while exploring the venue and shopping streets.

Source: 【開催レポート】令和7年度 商工感謝祭＆大洗あんこう祭 | 大洗 海の郷 Journal | 【公式】大洗観光協会

How to take part

The Oarai Anglerfish Festival is an event where you can enjoy anglerfish soup and food from festival stalls at the venue, and watch stage performances.

Information states that a numbered ticket is required to buy anglerfish soup in 2026.

The shopping street is also closed to vehicle traffic, so you can stroll around and browse restaurants, food trucks, exhibits, and more.

In 2026, the festival will be held at the plaza in front of Oarai Marine Tower from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 15.

If you want to buy anglerfish soup, first pick up a numbered ticket, available from 10 a.m.

Food stalls and stage events will be set up at the venue, and you can enjoy them at your leisure while shopping.

Source: 【開催告知-2026年11月】令和8年度 大洗秋まつり 商工感謝祭＆大洗あんこう祭 | 大洗 海の郷 Journal | 【公式】大洗観光協会

Location and access

Venue and address

Plaza in front of Oarai Marine Tower (10 Minato Chuo, Oarai, Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki Prefecture)

Train and bus

It is a 10-minute walk from Oarai Station on the Kashima Rinkai Railway Oarai-Kashima Line.

Information is also available indicating that a free shuttle bus will run from Oarai Station.

By car

From Mito-Oarai Interchange on the Kita-Kanto Expressway (Higashi-Mito Road), take National Route 51 and Prefectural Route 2.

On the event day, traffic restrictions will be in place around the venue from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and around the shopping street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Parking

Parking is available.

Source: 大洗マリンタワー - Wikipedia

Address 10 Minato Chuo, Oarai, Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki Prefecture

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Dates and season

The 2026 Oarai Anglerfish Festival will be held on November 15 (Sunday).

The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The related Oarai Autumn Festival and Commerce and Industry Appreciation Festival will take place the day before, on November 14 (Saturday). Both events will be held at the plaza in front of Oarai Marine Tower.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

In 2026, anglerfish soup is limited to 1,000 servings, and a numbered ticket is required to buy it.

Traffic restrictions will be in place around the venue and shopping street at certain times, and congestion is expected on the event day.

Pets are not allowed in the lawn area. Saving spots overnight, camping, and using tall chairs in the stage viewing area are also prohibited.

Nearby attractions

Parks and gardensOarai Town

アクアワールド・大洗

茨城県東茨城郡大洗町磯浜町にある水族館

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

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写真：Jennie Kondo (Jennie Valdivieso Kondo - Grialte) / CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo source ·

Facility data source

Tourist attractionsOarai Town

大洗マリンタワー

茨城県大洗町にあるタワー

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

Photo and data sources×

写真：TTTNIS / Public domain

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Facility data source

Temples and shrinesOarai Town

大洗磯前神社

茨城県大洗町にある神社

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

Photo and data sources×

写真：Saigen Jiro / Public domain

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Facility data source

Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Oarai Anko Festival

The first Oarai Anko Festival was held in 1998, initially taking place at Oarai Sun Beach in March.

From the 3rd festival in 1999, the timing was changed to November, and the festival has been held annually since then.

Since 2008, the plaza in front of Oarai Marine Tower has been the main venue, and related events for “Girls und Panzer” have been included since 2012.

Official information

The 2026 event schedule can be checked in the Oarai Town annual events schedule provided by the Oarai Tourism Association.

The dates are November 14 (Saturday) and the 15th (Sunday), and the venue is the plaza in front of Oarai Marine Tower.

The possibility of cancellation or postponement in severe weather is also noted.

Source: 【お知らせ】令和8年度 大洗町年間イベントスケジュールが決定しました | 大洗 海の郷 Journal | 【公式】大洗観光協会

Oarai Anko Festival at a Glance

The Oarai Anko Festival is an event where you can enjoy Oarai’s food culture and town festivities through anglerfish knife skills, anglerfish soup, and local performing arts.

In 2026, it is scheduled to take place on November 14 (Saturday) and the 15th (Sunday) at the plaza in front of Oarai Marine Tower, in conjunction with the Commerce and Industry Thanksgiving Festival.

It’s a good idea to check on the free shuttle bus from Oarai Station and plan for crowds before you go.