Aomori Nebuta Festival - Summer Festival Held Every August in Aomori Prefecture

Experience the spectacular Aomori Nebuta Festival, one of the three great festivals of Tohoku, held annually in August in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture. This historic festival, with origins traced to tanabata lantern floating and "nemuri-nagashi" (sleeping spirit purification), has records dating back to the Kyoho period (early 18th century) and was designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1980. <img src="https://assets.hldycdn.com/472ccb8f-1fc2-420e-b2ad-c2220a6a1412.jpeg" alt="Aomori Nebuta Festival - Spectacular illuminated floats parade through the streets of Aomori City"> The festival's main attraction is the massive "Nebuta floats" - enormous illuminated paper sculptures that can reach up to 9 meters wide, 7 meters deep, 5 meters tall, and weigh approximately 4 tons. These artistic masterpieces are crafted by skilled artisans called "Nebuta-shi" over a period of about 3 months, with total costs including materials reaching approximately 20 million yen per float. Inside these magnificent structures, hundreds to thousands of light bulbs and LEDs create stunning illuminations that beautifully light up the night streets. <img src="https://assets.hldycdn.com/f74a4782-3647-43d1-ba72-2611911a451b.jpg" alt="Haneto dancers in traditional costumes participating in the Aomori Nebuta Festival parade"> During the festival, the Nebuta floats are accompanied by "Hayashi" musicians playing flutes, drums, and hand-held gongs, followed by dancers called "Haneto." Visitors can join the festivities by wearing the traditional Haneto costume, allowing tourists to participate on the spot. Throughout the festival period, approximately 100,000 people participate in the dancing, wearing traditional accessories like tabi socks, bells, and sashes while dancing through the streets shouting "Rassera, Rassera!" - a truly spectacular sight. The festival represents a cultural heritage supported by the entire local community, with collaboration from local residents, businesses, and even the Self-Defense Forces. Educational programs for generational succession have been established, ensuring this cultural treasure continues to thrive. <img src="https://assets.hldycdn.com/22cd7f14-5733-4412-a5c9-502e0b4c76af.jpg" alt="Fireworks Festival - Spectacular fireworks display during the final day of Aomori Nebuta Festival"> The final day's marine procession is particularly impressive, where award-winning Nebuta floats are loaded onto platforms and parade around Aomori Port. The competition between these illuminated floats reflected on the water surface and the fireworks blooming in the sky creates a spectacular festival of lights that serves as a fitting climax to the festival. After the festival ends, the award-winning Nebuta floats are displayed at "Nebuta no Ie Wa-Rasse" where visitors can appreciate their beauty year-round. The Aomori Nebuta Festival, visited by over 1 million people annually, continues to be beloved both domestically and internationally as a quintessential Japanese summer tradition and an open festival where anyone can participate.