Oarai Spring Festival: Kairaku Festa

Festival highlights

Highlights include the stage events held at the plaza in front of Oarai Marine Tower and activities spread throughout the town, including its shopping streets.

In 2026, a stage featuring special guests and a “Girls und Panzer Quiz Tournament” were planned, and the “Oarai Kachishoku-dō Festival,” with stalls run by local eateries, was also held.

The Nagamachi, Torimachi, and Magarimatsu shopping streets were pedestrian-only, making it easy to enjoy a walk around the venue.

A festival of music, food, and shopping streets bringing color to spring in this port town

What to expect

In 2026, events were held mainly at the plaza in front of Oarai Marine Tower from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The stage featured special guest events and a quiz tournament, while stalls run by local eateries lined the venue.

The shopping streets were pedestrian-only, and Ibaraki Kotsu also ran a Doodle Bus and held merchandise sales.

The event is designed for visitors to move around the venue and its surroundings while enjoying music, stage performances, food, and activities in the shopping streets.

Source: 「大洗春まつり 海楽フェスタ2026」へ参加します – ニュースリリース - 茨城交通サイト

How to take part

Visitors can watch the event and take part in activities at the venue.

In 2026, stage events, a quiz tournament, food stalls, and pedestrian-only areas in the shopping streets were announced.

There are also activities for visitors to enjoy, such as the Doodle Bus.

Location and access

Venue and address

Plaza in front of Oarai Marine Tower (around 10 Minatochuo, Oarai, Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki Prefecture)

Train and bus

You can take the Oarai Station on the Kashima Rinkai Railway Oarai Kashima Line.

In 2026, a timetable for the day of Kairaku Festa was provided. IC cards could not be used on the Oarai Kashima Line; cash only was accepted.

By car

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

Parking

You can use the town-run parking lot (free) or Oarai Sun Beach Parking Lot (paid).

Unauthorized parking at nearby commercial facilities or stores is not permitted.

Source: 3月15日（日）海楽フェスタ時刻表 | 鹿島臨海鉄道株式会社 - 鹿島臨海鉄道株式会社

Address 10 Minatochuo, Oarai, Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki Prefecture

Open in Google Maps

Dates and season

2026 Event Information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, it was held on March 15 (Sunday), from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event was scheduled to go ahead in light rain and be canceled in severe weather, and the shopping streets were pedestrian-only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The related Mini Mini Hobby Show was held starting the day before, March 14 (Saturday).

It is usually held on a Sunday from mid- to late-March.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

In 2026, the event was scheduled to go ahead in light rain and be canceled in severe weather.

Saving places in front of the stage from the previous day is prohibited, so you cannot leave your belongings there early to hold a spot.

Pets are also prohibited inside the venue.

If you visit by car, use the designated parking lots and avoid parking without permission at commercial facilities or stores.

Nearby attractions

Oarai Marine Tower, the venue, is an observation tower located in Minato Chuo Park within Oarai Port.

From the observation deck, you can see Oarai Port, the townscape of Oarai, and the Pacific Ocean.

It can be introduced alongside the festival as a facility associated with the same Oarai Marine Tower where the event is held.

Admission to the facility is listed as 340 yen.

Source: 大洗マリンタワー - Wikipedia

Parks and gardensOarai

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

Photo and data sources×

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

Photo source ·

Facility data source

Tourist attractionsOarai

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

Photo source ·

Facility data source

Temples and shrinesOarai

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

Photo source ·

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 Spring Festival: Kairaku Festa

Kairaku Festa began with the aim of cheering up Oarai, whose industries suffered heavy damage in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, and highlighting the town’s recovery.

The first event was held at the plaza in front of Oarai Marine Tower on March 25, 2012, featuring stalls in the shopping streets and a performance by the Oarai High School marching band.

Anime-related events based on the town of Oarai also began to be held in 2013.

In 2020 and 2021, the event was effectively canceled due to postponements and other changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Official information

The Oarai Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced the 2026 event information.

Information visitors need is provided, including the date, venue, parking, saving places, pets, and pedestrian-only areas.

For transport information, Kashima Rinkai Railway provides the schedule for the day and important information for passengers.

Oarai Spring Festival: Kairaku Festa at a Glance

Oarai Spring Festival: Kairaku Festa is a spring event where you can enjoy stage performances, music, food stalls, and community activities at the plaza in front of Oarai Marine Tower and in the town’s shopping streets.

In 2026, the event was held on March 15, with light rain or shine; it was canceled in severe weather.

Information is also provided about pedestrian-only areas in the shopping streets and parking, making it enjoyable to explore the area around the venue on foot.