Get to know Bandō through its recurring festivals, the history of Sashima tea and the landscape around Sugōnuma. Notable event dates include the Sakai Castle Festival in early April and the Masakado Festival in November. They take place in different seasons and offer distinct cultural highlights. Tea, too, tells a story that reaches beyond a single municipality.
Festivals in Spring and November
The Masakado Festival is held every year in November. Its history began in April 1972, on the occasion of the municipal establishment of Iwai City. During the festival, a procession of 100 warriors in total crosses the grounds of Kokuō Shrine. They are accompanied by Kanda Myōjin Masakado Taiko. The program also includes a Kyūdō demonstration involving local junior high school students and other participants. The history, drum accompaniment and demonstration offer different aspects of the November festival that can be considered separately when planning a visit.
The Sakai Castle Festival takes place in early April at the historic site of the Sakai Castle Ruins, which is designated a prefectural monument. The festival program includes Sarushima-Bayashi, an intangible folk cultural property of Ibaraki Prefecture. Specific program items may change from year to year, so if you are interested in the event, check the details for the relevant date. Early April and November provide two clearly distinct times of year to visit; the festivals also differ in their stated program components.
Sashima Tea: Flavor and History
Sashima tea is a regional product grown across several municipalities. It is described as having robust leaves, an intense flavor and a distinctive aroma that develops during processing. It also has a full-bodied character. Both the nature of the leaves and their processing are central to the area’s tea culture.
Sashima tea is also linked to the story of Nakayama Motonari. The local landowner was the first to export tea from Japan to the United States. There is also a traditional explanation for the beginnings of tea cultivation in the former Sarushima area: it is said to have started when tea bushes were planted around fields as windbreaks. This cautious historical account differs from the product’s present-day flavor characteristics and complements them with the area’s agricultural history.
Sugōnuma and Its Shoreline Landscape
Sugōnuma lies on the border between Bando City and Jōsō. The elongated lake is about five kilometers long and between 200 and 500 meters wide. A walking path runs along its upper section. If you are considering a stay by the water, you can make this landscape a separate focus alongside the festivals and regional tea culture.
Getting Around Historical Sites
For visits to several historical sites in Bando City, the tourism association recommends renting a car or taking a taxi after arriving in Bando City. Public transport does not bring visitors close to every site. This is a practical difference to consider when choosing how to get around: for some destinations, public transport may not take you close to the site itself. As local connections may change, check the current travel recommendations before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Mito, Kashima, Ryugasaki, Naka, Oarai, Omitama, Hitachinaka, Yachiyo.
Go to the main travel overview: Ibaraki Prefecture.
