Ishioka, Ibaraki: The 2nd 'Ishioka Spring Lion Festival 2026' to be held on April 29! Tradition and enthusiasm gather in Ishioka in spring.
The Ishioka City Spring Shishimatsuri Executive Committee will host the 2nd Ishioka Spring Lion Festival 2026 on April 29, 2026, at Ishioka Event Plaza in Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture. This event aims to promote the local Horo-jishi culture and foster community participation in cultural heritage. It will feature Horo-jishi performances from 13 local towns, a lion dance contest for various age groups, free experience booths, and food/merchandise stalls. Admission is free. Temporary parking is available.
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The Ishioka City Spring Shishimatsuri Executive Committee (located in Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture) will hold the 'Ishioka Spring Lion Festival 2026' on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 'Ishioka Event Plaza'. This event is held to allow experience of Ishioka's Horo-jishi culture in spring and aims for community participation to inherit and foster local culture. This will be the second time the event is held in 2026. The event will feature Horo-jishi from various towns and districts within Ishioka City, a lion dance contest, experience booths, and food and merchandise booths. The official website is https://www.shishimatsuri.com/. Event highlights include Horo-jishi performances from various parts of the city, a Shishimai contest for elementary, junior high, high school students, and adults, as well as a free Shishimai contest. Free experience booths include Shishimaru-kun coloring, Hyottoko/Okame/Kitsune costume try-on, mini lion dance experience, lion boomerang experience, and fukuwarai with leftover fabric. The event will run from 9:30 to 17:00 (light rain will proceed, canceled in stormy weather). The venue is Ishioka Event Plaza (3-1-1 Wakamiya, Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture). Access is approximately a 12-minute walk from JR Joban Line 'Ishioka Station'. Admission is free, and no prior application is required. Parking is not available at the venue. Temporary parking is located at Kashima Railway ruins (1-19-48 Ishioka, Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture). The schedule includes a lion gathering at 9:00, opening ceremony at 9:30, Dobashi Shishimai Preservation Society performance at 10:00, all town lion dance at 10:30, selected Shishimai contest at 11:00, all town lion dance at 13:35, free Shishimai contest at 14:05, town lion parade at 15:45, contest awards at 16:30, and closing ceremony at 16:50. Participating towns for display include Kinmaru-cho, Moriyoko-cho, Miyashita-cho, Mizukubo-cho, Rokken Higashi-cho, Ogawamichi-cho, Higashi-cho, Deshiyama-cho, Osuna-cho, Shojonai-cho, Tokodai, Kakioka, Tomita-cho (13 towns).
FAQ
When and where will the 'Ishioka Spring Lion Festival 2026' be held?
The 'Ishioka Spring Lion Festival 2026' will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 'Ishioka Event Plaza' in Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
What is the main purpose of the Ishioka Spring Lion Festival?
The festival aims to allow people to experience Ishioka's Horo-jishi culture in spring and encourages community participation to inherit and foster local culture.
What kind of activities and attractions can attendees expect at the festival?
Attendees can expect Horo-jishi performances from various districts, a lion dance contest for different age groups, free experience booths like coloring and costume try-ons, and food and merchandise booths.
What are the operating hours of the festival, and is there any admission fee?
The event will run from 9:30 to 17:00, and admission is free with no prior application required.
What is the accessibility information for the Ishioka Event Plaza, and where can visitors park?
The venue is approximately a 12-minute walk from JR Joban Line 'Ishioka Station'. Parking is not available at the venue, but temporary parking is provided at the Kashima Railway ruins.