Aomori Nebuta Festival

This festival for which Aomori is most famous takes place in Aomori City during the first week of August, however on the 1st it is only an evening fireworks display. The main procession of the festival consists of large internally lit floats depicting kabuki scenes that are wheeled around wildly from side to side. Members of the public are free to join in as long as they are wearing the required haneto costume.

The Aomori Nebuta schedule sees parades on each evening from the 2nd to the 6th with a procession of floats happening during the day on the 7th with a large fireworks festival in the evening.

In addition to the Aomori Nebuta, there are similar festivals throughout the Tsugaru Plain including Hirosaki Neputa, Goshogawara Nebuta, Hirakawa Nebuta and Kuroishi Nebuta.

If travelling to Aomori for Nebuta, you should make sure to book your accommodation in advance. You can do this, and secure viewing seats too, via Japanican.

(Greg Lane)