The Ishioka Matsuri is formally called "Hitachi no Kuni Sojagu Taisai," and this most important of Hitachi no Kuni Soshagu's festivals is a collective effort by the citizens of Ishioka. It is counted among the three greatest festivals in the Kanto region, and it is visited by as many as 400,000 tourists during the 3-day event. It is the largest festival using floats in Ibaraki Prefecture, and the parade of more than 40 portable shrines through the center of town is an impressive sight, featuring an elegant portable shrine bearing the chrysanthemum crest used by the Imperial Family, a large procession of portable shrines, and a lion dance procession.