Get ready to immerse yourself in one of Japan's most vibrant and captivating festivals. The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri 2024 promises to dazzle visitors with its spectacular floats, lively parades, and rich cultural heritage.
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Overview of Aomori Nebuta Matsuri
The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, the largest of the three major festivals in Tohoku, draws over 2 million visitors from both Japan and around the world each year with its stunning floats and vibrant festivities. This festival was designated as an intangible folk cultural property in 1980.
The Tohoku Three Major Festivals are famous summer festivals take place in the Tohoku region. Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Sendai Tanabata Matsuri, and Akita Kanto Matsuri
History and Significance of the Festival
The roots of the Aomori Nebuta Festival trace back to the Tanabata Festival, introduced in China during the Nara period. Combining events like spirit and bug sending-off, the festival evolved in the Tsugaru area. With the advent of paper, bamboo, and candles, lanterns became larger and more elaborate, shaping the modern festival's appearance.
Historically, the Tanabata Festival took place on the night of July 7th in the lunar calendar, involving the washing away of debris into rivers and the sea. The Nebuta floats moving through the sea on the last day of the festival symbolize this tradition.
Highlights of the Festival
Giant Colorful Lantern Float
The highlight of the Aomori Nebuta Festival is the giant lantern float called Nebuta. These intricate creations, based on Kabuki and mythology, take an entire year to craft.
You can participate in the Nebuta Festival as Haneto
In addition to watching and enjoying the Nebuta Festival, you can also participate as a haneto. Haneto are participants who energetically jump around the lantern floats to liven up the festival, following the rhythm of "Rassera, Rassera!". Anyone can join as long as they wear the proper attire and follow the rules. If you're interested in participating, please check here for more details.
How to Get There
From Tokyo, you can easily reach Aomori Prefecture, the site of the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri 2024, by Shinkansen or plane.
Shinkansen
Tohoku Shinkansen
Travel time: 3 hours 17 minutes
Plane
Travel Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Dates and Schedule for Aomori Nebuta Matsuri 2024
Dates: August 2nd - 7th (Every year)
Access: About 10 minutes walk from Aomori station
Venue:
Entry: Free *Individual seats are available for purchase (up to 9 people). Please check the official website for more details.
Official Website: Aomori Nebuta Festival