The Aomori Nebuta Festival is held in Aomori City between August 2 and 7 every year and attracts as many as 1 million visitors every year. It is one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset property by the Japanese government.
The Aomori Nebuta Festival features giant human-shaped floats Nebuta. The largest dolls are 5 meters high, 9 meters wide, and 7 meters deep and are handmade by craftsmen called "Nebutashi(Nebuta masters)" just for the six days of the festival each year. The Nebuta depart one by one from the starting point of the course at around 7:00 p.m., signaling the start of the fireworks display. The spectators are entertained by the appearance of the colorful and dramatic Nebuta, one after another. If you want to see the Nebuta at a leisurely pace, paid seating is also recommended.
If you want to enjoy the festival even more, we recommend participating as a Haneto. Haneto is a dancer who dances and walks with the Nebuta with the call of "rasserah. Costume rentals are available in Aomori City, so be sure to check in advance.
On the last day of the festival, the 7th, Nebuta will be operated at sea in Aomori Port. Several prize-winning Nebuta floats will be taken out to sea at around 7:00 p.m. On the same day, a fireworks display will be held at Aomori Port, where you can see more than 10,000 fireworks and the mysterious sight of Nebuta floating on the sea.
Highlights
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One of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region, designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset property by the Japanese government.
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Giant Nebuta (lanterns) are paraded through Aomori City.
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The Nebuta are paraded through the city of Aomori City, and the Haneto (jumpers) dance along with the Nebuta to the call of "rasserah."
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Anyone can participate as a haneto if they follow the rules. Costume rentals are available in Aomori City.
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On the festival's last day (7th), several prize-winning Nebuta will be driven through Aomori Port. A fireworks display will also be held.