Experience the main festival: large floats carrying life-size figures parade through the shopping street, a true festival of the port town

About this spot

The 'Minato Hassaku Festival' held on August 30, 2026 (Sunday) starting at 3 p.m., centered around Nakaminato Honmachi-dori Shopping Street. Large floats carrying life-size figures far bigger than human size parade through the shopping street. This is a traditional event unique to Hitachinaka, a port town, where you can feel the fervor of a festival nurtured alongside port life. Combined with your visits to Nakaminato Osakana Ichiba Market and Nakaminato Reverberatory Furnace Ruins during the day, it becomes a full day where you can deeply experience the connection between the history of the port town and the festival. Since food stall availability varies by year, it's best to finish your meal at Nakaminato Osakana Ichiba Market beforehand.

Fireworks details

Tips

On festival day, traffic restrictions will be in place around Honmachi-dori, and crowds are expected. Public transportation or walking is recommended. Since the festival runs from daytime into evening, don't forget protection from sun and heat. The scheduled end time may vary year to year, so check the day-of announcements.

Best time to visit

From the 3 p.m. start. Early evening when the sun begins to set is a beautiful time when the floats and townscape are most photogenic.

Access & map

Nakaminato Honmachi-dori Shopping Street area, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki