Nebuta Matsuri (Aug)
Overview
The sleepy northern town of Aomori comes alive for the Nebuta Matsuri (festival), a week-long celebration in early August, one of Japan's most famous festivals. As darkness falls, huge illuminated floats are pulled through the streets by armies of local people. Crafted from coloured rice-paper, huge images of demons, warriors and horses bear down on the crowds below as the floats are rocked, spun and raced through the town. Hundreds of dancers follow the floats, to a cacophony of bells, flutes and drums. On the last night of the festival the floats are loaded onto boats and floated out to sea against the backdrop of a spectacular firework finale!
The sleepy northern town of Aomori comes alive for the Nebuta Matsuri (festival), a week-long celebration in early August, one of Japan's most famous festivals. As darkness falls, huge illuminated floats are pulled through the streets by armies of local people. Crafted from coloured rice-paper, huge images of demons, warriors and horses bear down on the crowds below as the floats are rocked, spun and raced through the town. Hundreds of dancers follow the floats, to a cacophony of bells, flutes and drums. On the last night of the festival the floats are loaded onto boats and floated out to sea against the backdrop of a spectacular firework finale!
When:
The festival takes place annually from 2nd to 7th August. The main days are 2nd to the 6th when the night time illuminations provide the spectacular backdrop to the festivities. On the 7th there are day time celebrations all finished off with an incredible firework display over the harbour after dark.
Be sure to book early if you wish to attend this incredible event. Accommodation is at a premium and close to the time is impossible to come by.
Where:
Aomori is located on the far northern tip of the Tohoku region which stretches out to the north of Tokyo. The city can be accessed from Tokyo via Shinkansen to Hachinhe and then a short hop on a Ltd Express. Journey time is just over 4 hours. Alternatively, you can travel from the other side of Japan travelling up the Japan Sea Coast from Niigata.
The festival takes place annually from 2nd to 7th August. The main days are 2nd to the 6th when the night time illuminations provide the spectacular backdrop to the festivities. On the 7th there are day time celebrations all finished off with an incredible firework display over the harbour after dark.
Be sure to book early if you wish to attend this incredible event. Accommodation is at a premium and close to the time is impossible to come by.
Where:
Aomori is located on the far northern tip of the Tohoku region which stretches out to the north of Tokyo. The city can be accessed from Tokyo via Shinkansen to Hachinhe and then a short hop on a Ltd Express. Journey time is just over 4 hours. Alternatively, you can travel from the other side of Japan travelling up the Japan Sea Coast from Niigata.