Aomori – Nebuta Festival

Nebuta Matsuri is a summer festival that takes place in Aomori, Aomori Prefecture. The festival attracts the most tourists of any of the country’s nebuta festivals, and is counted among the three largest festivals in the Tohoku region. It was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1980, and as one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan by the Ministry of the Environment in 1996.

Nebuta Matsuri is held every year from August 2 to August 7, where the float is carried through the city during the evening from August 2–6, and during the daytime on August 7. A fireworks show is held on the evening of the final day while the float is carried into the sea.

There are three types of floats used in the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri. The children’s nebuta and regional nebuta are sponsored by local organizations, and are usually smaller than the normal nebuta. The children’s nebuta is carried twice, from August 2–3. The large nebutas are always carried at some point during the festival, but few can be seen during the first two days of the festival, perhaps due to shortages in funds.

Read an eyewitness account of the Nebuta Festival HERE