While Nebuta festivals are held in other towns around Aomori prefecture, the biggest is in Aomori City with a daily parade of enormous lantern floats, flanked by large taiko drums, musicians and dancers.

Local teams take an entire year to design and construct the floats, which can be up to 9m wide and 5m tall. Each float is accompanied by teams of taiko drummers, flute and hand cymbals players, as well as hundreds of dancers known as haneto who chant in unison.

Things are not as full-on in the first few nights, but 4-6 August the parades are in full swing and every float makes an appearance. A fireworks display closes festivities on the 7th. Book accommodation early.

Practical Info

Nebuta Matsuri