Discover Bandō: Festivals, Tea and Landscapes

Bandō brings together festival traditions, Sashima tea and surroundings shaped by a waterside landscape, offering a range of discoveries. The Masakado Festival adds a highlight in November, followed by the Sakai Castle Festival in early April. The elongated Sugōnuma adds a natural highlight. You can tailor your trip to your interests, choosing the balance between culture, regional tea history and nature.

Festival traditions throughout the year

The Masakado Festival takes place every year in November. It began in April 1972 to mark the municipal establishment of Iwai City. During the festival, a total of 100 warriors parade through the grounds of Kokuō Shrine, accompanied by the Kanda Myōjin Masakado Taiko drummers. The programme also includes a kyūdō demonstration by local middle school students and other participants. The procession, taiko music and archery offer different ways to experience the same festival tradition. Programme details may vary from year to year; if you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates in advance.

Another festival takes place in early April: the Sakai Castle Festival. It is held at the historic Sakai Castle Ruins site, which is designated as a prefectural monument. Sarushima Bayashi, an intangible folk cultural property of Ibaraki Prefecture, is performed at the festival. Please note that visitors may not enter the reconstructed towers or main hall at Sakai Castle Ruins Park. Check the current conditions for the site before your visit; programme details may also vary during the festival. This offers a cultural focus in early April that differs from the festival month of November.

Sashima tea: flavour and history

Sashima tea has robust leaves and develops an intense flavour and distinctive aroma during processing. Its full-bodied character makes it a notable regional product. The growing area covers several municipalities, so it cannot be associated with just one place. Those interested in regional foods and their origins will find an opportunity here to connect enjoyment with the history of the landscape.

There is a vivid explanation for how tea cultivation began in the former Sarushima area: tea bushes are said to have first been planted around fields as windbreaks. Sashima tea is also associated with local landowner Nakayama Motonari, who was the first person from Japan to export it to the United States. This story adds the development of tea cultivation and early trade to the picture of today’s tea culture.

Crafts and historic buildings at Shuroku

The Shuroku complex is a distinct historical point of interest: its main house is now used as the centre’s information office. The main house was formerly a business and residence and was built before 1897. The Shuroku complex also includes the main storehouse, which is registered as a tangible cultural property. The two buildings illustrate different aspects of the historic complex: the former residence and business premises, and the storehouse with its special cultural designation.

The Shuroku Tourism Exchange Center is a dedicated place for crafts. It offers workshops in woodworking, pottery and glasswork, where you can try the crafts yourself. Check dates and registration requirements in advance. During opening hours, visitors can borrow a pump for French valves and get information about nearby visitor attractions at the Shuroku Tourism Exchange Center. A toilet is available at the Shuroku Tourism Exchange Center at all times, regardless of opening hours or closing days; as availability may change, it is advisable to confirm before your visit.

Sugōnuma and planning your excursions

Sugōnuma lies on the border between Bandō and Jōsō. The elongated lake is about five kilometres long and between 200 and 500 metres wide. A walking path runs along its upper section. These approximate dimensions give an idea of the scale of the waterside landscape; the path adds a peaceful natural highlight alongside the festivals and historical sites.

For visiting several historical sites in Bandō, the tourism association recommends renting a car or taking a taxi after arriving in Bandō, as public transport may not take you close to some sites. Check local transport links when planning your trip. If you want to visit several historical places, take this transport consideration into account when choosing your holiday rental. For a trip focused on festivals, tea or landscapes, other interests may guide your choice; deciding which themes and excursions suit you best can help you plan more clearly before booking.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kashima, Tsuchiura, Yachiyo, Toride, Koga, Mito, Moriya, Tsukuba.

For the main travel overview: Ibaraki Prefecture.