This summer, Chiikawa is joining three of Japan's best-loved summer festivals. Chiikawa Pocket, the first smartphone app based on the Chiikawa franchise, is taking part in the Aomori Nebuta Festival, the Sendai Tanabata Festival, and Awa Odori as part of Chiipoke Summer Festival 2026. Visitor-exclusive novelties and summer-limited merchandise will also be on offer at each festival venue.
Chiikawa Pocket is a smartphone game app based on the popular manga series Chiikawa by illustrator Nagano, posted on X (formerly Twitter). Under the concept "Always Together with Chiikawa Characters, Anywhere, Anytime," the app offers a collection of activities that capture the world of Chiikawa. It has been available since March 27, 2025, in 43 countries and regions worldwide.
Chiikawa Characters Appear at Three Summer Festivals for Chiipoke Summer Festival 2026
This summer, Chiikawa characters will appear at three major summer festivals as Chiipoke Summer Festival 2026: Aomori Prefecture's Aomori Nebuta Festival, Miyagi Prefecture's Sendai Tanabata Festival, and Tokushima Prefecture's Awa Odori.
A fan giveaway featuring original summer festival illustrations and sales of limited-edition merchandise will make the summer even more enjoyable.
"Chiipoke Summer Uchiwa" Fan Giveaway
Visitors who show the Chiikawa Pocket app screen at each summer festival venue will receive a "Chiipoke Summer Uchiwa" fan as a novelty gift. The front features an illustration of the characters in yukata, and the back features an illustration from the "Mermaid Island" event—a fan packed with Chiipoke's summer fun. Please have the Chiikawa Pocket app ready on your phone when visiting the distribution locations. Details on distribution locations and times are provided below for each festival.
*The event organizers are not responsible for any trouble between visitors. Please be considerate of others.
*The event may be changed or canceled due to natural disasters or other circumstances.
*Depending on the situation on the day, admission may be changed, including the distribution of numbered tickets. Any changes will be announced via the official Chiipoke X account.
Chiipoke Summer Festival 2026 Limited Merchandise
Limited-edition Chiipoke Summer Festival 2026 merchandise featuring the characters in yukata will be sold at each summer festival venue, including standard items like stickers as well as summer items such as drawstring pouches and hand towels.
Be sure to stop by the merchandise sales area when visiting the festivals.
*Admission may be restricted on certain dates. Please check here for details on how to apply for entry tickets.
*Entry tickets may also be distributed on dates without prior notice, depending on crowd levels.
*The Chiipoke Summer Festival 2026 limited merchandise is also available through the Chiikawa Pocket Goods Store, where sales begin August 1 (Saturday) at 11:00 AM.
1) Aomori Nebuta Festival
A "Chiipoke Nebuta" float featuring Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi dressed in yukata will appear at the Aomori Nebuta Festival, a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. It will parade as the lead float ("maenebuta") for the Aomori City PTA Federation.
As a maenebuta parading together with the local community, the beloved Chiikawa characters—cherished across generations—will lead the way, welcoming spectators. Enjoy the heartwarming opening along the parade route before the arrival of the spectacular large-scale nebuta floats.
Aomori Nebuta Festival official website: https://www.nebuta.jp/
Aomori Nebuta Festival period
August 1 (Saturday) to August 7 (Friday), 2026
*August 1 (Saturday) is the pre-festival night.
Parade schedule
- August 2 (Sunday): from 7:00 PM
- August 3 (Monday): from 7:00 PM
- August 5 (Wednesday): from 6:45 PM
- August 6 (Thursday): from 6:45 PM
Novelty Giveaway Details
Location: In front of the Aomori City PTA Federation's nebuta hut
Date and time: August 1 (Saturday) to August 7 (Friday), 2026, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
*Lining up begins at 9:30 AM each day.
*Please refrain from waiting before the lineup start time. Visitors who wait at the distribution location earlier than this may be refused a place in line or entry.
Limited Merchandise Sales Details
Location: Aomori Prefectural Tourist Product Center ASPAM 2F, "machicotoba"
Date and time: August 1 (Saturday) to August 7 (Friday), 2026, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
*The final day closes at 4:30 PM.
2) Sendai Tanabata Festival
Tanabata decorations featuring Chiikawa, Hachiware, Usagi, Momonga, and Kurimanjuu dressed in yukata will appear at the Sendai Tanabata Festival. Alongside the colorful, large-scale Tanabata decorations the festival is known for, the adorably dressed Chiikawa characters enjoying the summer festival will add a bright touch to the streets of Sendai.
Sendai Tanabata Festival official website: https://www.sendaitanabata.com/
Sendai Tanabata Festival period
August 6 (Thursday) to August 8 (Saturday), 2026
Tanabata decoration display location
Hapina Nakakecho Shopping Street
Novelty Giveaway Details
Location: Sendai Station 2F, "Haremachi Court"
Date and time: August 5 (Wednesday) to August 16 (Sunday), 2026, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
*There is no advance lineup. Please refrain from waiting before the start time. Visitors who wait at the distribution location earlier than this may be refused a place in line or entry.
Limited Merchandise Sales Details
Location: Sendai Station 2F, "Haremachi Court"
Date and time: August 5 (Wednesday) to August 16 (Sunday), 2026, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
3) Awa Odori
A "Chiipoke Observation Deck" featuring Chiikawa characters dressed in yukata will appear atop Mt. Bizan, a symbol beloved by the people of Tokushima City. A special photo spot will be set up where visitors can take commemorative photos with the summer-dressed Chiikawa characters. Feel free to stop by and create special summer memories with family and friends.
Awa Odori official website: https://www.awaodorimirai.com/
*Please do not touch the display.
*When taking photos, please be considerate of other visitors and avoid photography that may disturb those nearby.
*The display may be abruptly canceled due to natural disasters, epidemics, unforeseen accidents, or other circumstances. Also, part of the display content may be changed without notice due to circumstances.
*The content of the display may be changed without notice.
"Chiipoke Observation Deck" display period
August 10 (Monday) to August 16 (Sunday), 2026, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Novelty Giveaway Details
Location: Amico Building 2F, next to Amico Dome
Date and time: August 12 (Wednesday) to August 15 (Saturday), 2026, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
*Lining up begins at 9:30 AM each day.
*Please refrain from waiting before the lineup start time. Visitors who wait at the distribution location earlier than this may be refused a place in line or entry.
Limited Merchandise Sales Details
Location: Amico Building 5F
Date and time: August 10 (Monday) to August 16 (Sunday), 2026, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
About Chiikawa Pocket
- Title: Chiikawa Pocket
- Price: Free to play (with in-app purchases)
- Supported OS: iOS/Android (may not be available on some devices)
- Developer/Operator: Applibot, Inc.
- Copyright: ©nagano / chiikawa committee Developed by Applibot, Inc.
- Official Links:
- Official Website: https://jp.chiikawa-pocket.com/ja/
- Official X: https://x.com/chiikawa_pt_jp
- Official TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@chiikawa_pt_jp
- Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@chiikawa_pt_jp
- App Store: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/id6596745408
- Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.applibot.chiikawapocket
- Chiikawa Pocket 3-Minute Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbByXSE-Cpk
About Chiikawa
Chiikawa is a popular manga series created by illustrator Nagano and posted on X (formerly Twitter). The story follows the fun, bittersweet, and sometimes challenging daily lives of the Chiikawa characters, gaining wide popularity among audiences of all ages. The official X account has surpassed 4.79 million followers to date. Chiikawa has also won the Grand Prix at the Japan Character Awards in 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026 (the 2026 award was announced in June 2026).
The animated series Chiikawa airs every Tuesday and Friday at approximately 7:40 AM on "Mezamashi TV" (Fuji Television Network, 5:25 AM to 9:00 AM). After broadcast, episodes are available for one week on YouTube, TVer, and FOD for catch-up viewing. The film "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island" is scheduled to premiere on July 24 (Friday), 2026.
