Tsuchiura Kirara Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include Tanabata Odori dances performed in a procession and dashi moving through the streets.

In 2026, the Tanabata Odori dance contest format returned for the first time in 7 years, and activities organized by high school students from the city and nearby areas, as well as stage events, were scheduled.

Music events are held at Kijo Park, and a cosplay event featuring a tour of photo spots is also set up at the venue.

Along the shore of Lake Kasumigaura, “wish fireworks” carrying the hopes of local residents were also held.

A summer festival in front of Tsuchiura Station, brought to life by Tanabata Odori and dashi

What to expect

At the festival, you can enjoy Tanabata decorations and various stage events while walking along the station-front street, which is closed to vehicles and open to pedestrians.

On Day 1, events included “Gakusai TSUCHIURA” organized by high school students, an impressionist show, and a Tanabata Odori dance contest, with fireworks scheduled for the evening.

Day 2 features a dashi procession and dashi competition, with music events continuing at Kijo Park.

Food stalls, food trucks, flea markets, and more lined the area around the venue.

Source: 【土浦市】歩行者天国で七夕おどりや山車競演も！「土浦キララまつり2026」が8月1日 · 2日に開催 | 号外NET 土浦市 · Kasumigaura City · Ishioka City

How to take part

Visitors can watch the event.

Location and access

Venue and address

The urban area centered on the stretch from the street in front of the west exit of Tsuchiura Station to the Kijo Park North intersection.

In 2026, this stretch was closed to vehicles and opened to pedestrians.

Train and bus

Get off at Tsuchiura Station on the JR Joban Line.

It is a 3-minute walk to the venue in front of the west exit of Tsuchiura Station, and a 5-minute walk from the east exit to the Tsuchiura Port venue.

By car

About 10 minutes via National Route 125 from the Tsuchiura-kita Interchange on the Joban Expressway.

Parking

Parking is available.

Traffic restrictions are in effect around the venue, so if you are coming by car, check the traffic restriction information.

Source: 土浦キララまつり - Wikipedia

Event venue 茨城県土浦市 土浦駅西口駅前通りから亀城公園北交差点までを中心とする市街地

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

Open in Google Maps

Dates and season

2026 Event Information (The listed dates have passed)

The event was held over 2 days in 2026: August 1 (Sat) and the 2nd (Sun).

Day 1 was scheduled to feature a Tanabata Odori dance contest and stage events, while Day 2 was scheduled to include a dashi procession and dashi competition.

In most years, it takes place on the first Saturday and Sunday of August along the street in front of Tsuchiura Station.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The area around the venue is closed to vehicles and subject to traffic restrictions, so if you are traveling by car, check the restriction times and affected areas in advance.

In 2026, traffic restrictions were in effect around the street in front of the west exit of Tsuchiura Station from 4:30 p.m. until around 9:30 p.m.

Since events such as Tanabata Odori, dashi competitions, and fireworks take place at different venues, it is a good idea to check the location of the events you want to see before moving on.

Nearby attractions

Festival venues and surrounding areas include the street in front of the west exit of Tsuchiura Station, Urara Odane Hiroba, Mall 505, Honcho Street, Nakajo Street, and Kijo Park.

Music events were held at Kijo Park during the 2026 festival, and you can explore events around the city alongside those on the station-front street and in the plazas.

“Wish fireworks” were scheduled along the shore of Lake Kasumigaura, bringing together the festival and the lakeside scenery.

Museums and art museumsTsuchiura City

土浦市立博物館

茨城県土浦市にある博物館

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

Photo and data sources×

写真：Miyuki Meinaka / CC BY-SA 4.0

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 Tsuchiura Kirara Festival

Tsuchiura Kirara Festival was created by combining the Tsuchiura Tanabata Festival and the Kasumigaura Lakeside Festival.

The Tsuchiura Tanabata Festival ran from 1951 to 1989, and the two events were combined in 1990 to create the festival as it is today.

The dashi procession began in 1991, the year after the festival was established, and has continued as an event staged along the street in front of the station.

In 2026, the Tanabata Odori dance contest format returned.

Official information

A Tsuchiura City mayoral press conference on the official city website provides information about the 2026 event dates, the pedestrian-only area, Tanabata Odori, the cosplay event, music events, and wish fireworks.

Information about the usual event period and general venue details is also available on the festival and events page of the official Tsuchiura City website.

Tsuchiura Kirara Festival at a Glance

Tsuchiura Kirara Festival is a summer urban festival centered on the pedestrian-only area in front of Tsuchiura Station, featuring Tanabata Odori dances, dashi, stage events, music, and fireworks.

In 2026, it was held on August 1 and the 2nd, and the Tanabata Odori dance contest format returned.

Since the festival venues extend from the station-front street to Kijo Park and the shore of Lake Kasumigaura, it is a good idea to check the locations of the events you want to see and any traffic restrictions before exploring.