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Writer's pictureMarcos Regalado

Event Report: Lanterns and Burger Sliders!

Updated: Feb 19, 2023


Scrolling through Instagram, I am always thankful for the food trucks I follow. Reason being that they usually announce what food events are coming up in Ibaraki. Last week, Magnet House (an amazing donut food truck I covered before) and Happy Tortilla Arthur ( a delicious sort of tacos food truck I will cover in the future) posted that a lantern festival was happening last weekend in Hitachi Civic Center. I wanted some good food and to see something pretty that day. So off I went that Saturday afternoon to the Hitachi Lantern Festival.


Hitachi Cosplay and Lantern Festival


Yeah, I should clarify. This wasn't only a lantern festival. It was also a cosplay festival because, why not. After driving from Tsuchiura to Hitachi, I parked close to the Civic Center and checked out the event. The sun was still out so no lanterns yet. I saw a lot of cosplayers with professional photographers following them around. I didn't ask to take any of their pictures because I was afraid I would be breaking the cosplay rules or something. After walking around for a while, I was getting hungry and found a blue burger food truck that was calling my name.


...And Burger


When I walked up to this truck, the first thing I thought of was, "great name." The smell coming from the truck was intoxicating and I couldn't wait to try ...And Burger's burgers. I talked to who I believe were the owners of the food truck and they let me know they were based in Ishioka. Ishioka is my old stomping grounds so I let them know I would visit them in Ishioka when I could.


The Menu


Good news everyone. The menu is in both Japanese and English! Looking through the menu, I saw a pulled pork burger which I debated on getting but then my eyes stopped at sliders. Burger sliders. You know how long it has been since I have had burger sliders? 4 years! Sliders are awesome! They are small burgers you can fit in your mouth. If you have ever been to White Castle in the states, you will understand why Americans love sliders so much.


The Slider


I ordered my slider which came with fries. The menu does have a double sliders option which I will get next time. The slider was held in place by a skewer which went through the burger and fries and held it all in the cup. I unskewerd (is that a word?) my burger and gave it a try. I didn't put the whole thing in my mouth cause I wanted to really taste it. The slider was fantastic! The beef patty really impressed me. It was so juicy and meaty. The buns held everything together and the fries were excellent as well. I need to have ...And Burger again and try the rest of their menu.


The Lanterns


After my slider, I had a delicious burrito from Ponkey. I have posted about them before. Then, I sat down and waited till 5:00. That was when everyone would have their lanterns and release them into the sky. Well, not really release. The lanterns were on strings, like a kite. So fly them in the sky.


Let them Fly


5:00 came around and the event announcer said to please wait a little while longer before flying your lanterns. 30 minutes went by and everyone waited. I am often times impressed by the patience of the Japanese. If this was the U.S, everyone would have probably released their lanterns without waiting.

At 5:30, the announcer did a countdown and at 0, everyone let their lanterns fly. It was a beautiful sight to see. Everyone was having fun, taking pictures, flying their lanterns, and enjoying the night. It was a bit breezy so a few lanterns flew down low and one hit me on the head. That was Ok though. It was amazing to see those lanterns dancing in the breezy night air. I had heard that this was a reoccurring event and wondered if I would fly a lantern next time. Then I was told it was 2500yen to fly a lantern. Yeah, no. Too rich for my blood. I'd rather have a burger.


I really enjoyed the lantern festival and hope to attend it again sometime later this year or next year. I also hope to catch ...And Burger somewhere in Ishioka soon. I really need to try their pulled pork burger and my wife needs to try their sliders. I think all Ibarakians should catch the next Lantern Festival and get a delicious burger from ...And Burger. When you do, who knows, maybe you will see me at the next Lantern Festival. We will enjoy the view while chowing down on some sliders.


For more information on the Lantern Festival, check out their website:


And for more information on ...And Burger, check out their Instagram:


Event Announcement!

Burger Baka


This year's Burger Baka is underway! Time to head to Kasama Geijutsu No Mori on March 19th to try some of Ibaraki's best burgers. Some of my favorites will be there like Hi-5, Drool Diner, Mori-Pan, MOSH, ...And Burger, and many more. There are even going to be burger shops I have never tried before. This will be a grand burger event full or delicious burgers and music! If you are a burger lover like me, then you cannot miss this event. The Ibaraki Eats Duo will definitely be there. Chowing down on as many burgers as we can. I hope to see you there!

For more information on Burger Baka, che k out their Instagram page:

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