The Akita Kanto Festival (Akita Kanto Matsuri) represents the essence of summer in Akita Prefecture. Designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government, this traditional event is one of the three major festivals in Tohoku, along with Aomori's Nebuta Festival and Sendai's Tanabata Festival.

Held in Akita City, the gateway to tourism in Akita Prefecture, the Akita Kanto Festival takes place in the heart of the city.

Spanning four days from August 3rd to 6th, it attracts a multitude of visitors from both domestic and international destinations. With the city center serving as the festival venue, approximately 10,000 lanterns illuminate the streets, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere.

The main attraction of the festival is the "Kanto," a thick bamboo pole adorned with up to 46 lanterns. The bamboo pole represents a sheaf of rice, while the lanterns symbolize rice bags, embodying the festival's wish for abundant harvest and prosperity.

The origins of the Kanto can be traced back to the mid-Edo period, during the years of the Horeki era (1751-1764). Originally, it was a ritual to ward off summer ailments and drowsiness.

In the first year of the Kansei era (1789), a document described a procession where numerous lanterns were lit on long poles arranged in a cross shape, resembling the prototype of the current Kanto Festival.

During the main event, known as the "Night Performance," approximately 280 Kanto poles gather at Kanto Oodori street, located about a 15-minute walk from JR Akita Station. Men known as "sashite" carry one Kanto pole each and showcase their incredible skills and techniques.

The tallest Kanto pole reaches an astonishing height of 12 meters. The sight of the sashite skillfully transferring the massive Kanto poles onto their palms, shoulders, and waists is truly breathtaking.

The schedule for the 2024 event is as follows.
Please check the official website before visiting, as it is subject to change.

Date: August 3 - 6, 2024
Venue:
・Night time: Kanto Odori Street
・Daytime Kantou Festival: Myogeikai, Area Nakaichi Nigiwai Hiroba
Time:
・Night time: 18:50 Entrance of Kanto, 9:15 a.m. to 8:35 p.m.; Kanto performance ends at 8:50 p.m. (*Traffic restrictions apply between 6:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.)
・Daytime Kanto: August 4 and 5, 2024, 9:00 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.; August 6, 2024, 9:20 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Bench Seats: Reservations for paid seats for groups (15 or more people) will be accepted from April 17, 10:00, and for individuals (14 or less people) from May 10, 10:00 a.m. (applications must be made in Japanese; for details, please check the official website .)

If you want to enjoy the power of the Akita Kanto Festival up close, paid seats are recommended. If there are seats available, you can sit down and watch the festival at night. If seats are available, same-day tickets will be sold at the night headquarters, Akita Tourism & Convention Association, play guides, etc.

For travel from JR Tokyo Station, it is recommended to use the Akita Shinkansen "Komachi" for the Akita Kanto Festival. The nearest station, JR Akita Station, can be reached in approximately 3 hours and 35-55 minutes.

From JR Akita Station, it is possible to reach the various venues of the Akita Kanto Festival on foot. Both the Daytime Kanto and Night Performance venues are within a 15-minute walking distance from the station.

The Akita Kanto Festival consists of two parts: the daytime Kanto, a skilled acrobatics competition where performers compete to showcase the beauty of their techniques, and the nighttime performance, where they demonstrate their skills accompanied by the rhythmic beat of drums and flutes, along with the chant "Dokkoi Sho, Dokkoi Sho."

The highlight of both parts is the remarkable skills displayed by the performers. It is truly a gripping sight to see these masterful artisans effortlessly handle the 50kg Kanto poles.

The techniques performed include "Nagashi" (flowing), "Hirate" (flat-handed), "Gaku" (forehead), "Kata" (shoulder), and "Koshi" (waist). Having prior knowledge of these techniques allows you to fully appreciate the awe-inspiring abilities of the performers.

The next technique involves supporting the bamboo pole to facilitate smooth transitions. After raising the Kanto pole to a high position, the performer momentarily stabilizes it on the palm of their hand. Then, they adjust their grip by sliding their thumb and index finger about 15cm apart to provide support.

Elevating the Kanto pole high in the air, this fundamental technique showcases the art of raising the pole. The performer holds the Kanto pole in their palm and brings it to a steady stop. Balancing the weight by keeping one hand open and maintaining equilibrium with their dominant arm is the key to mastering this technique.

In this grand technique, the performer first receives the Kanto pole in their palm and then carefully shifts it onto their forehead through the gap between their fingers. With both hands stretched wide and a firm stance, they stabilize their balance by firmly planting their feet and engaging their lower body.

The technique involves bringing the Kanto pole to a steady stop in the palm and then smoothly lowering it straight onto the shoulder without bending the dominant arm. Maintaining alignment between the supporting leg and the Kanto pole is considered aesthetically pleasing. This technique is known for being easy to master and is often one of the first techniques that performers learn.

The most demanding technique that requires extensive training. The performer first brings the Kanto pole to a steady stop in the palm of their hand and then carefully shifts it onto their waist through the gap between their fingers. Some skilled performers also incorporate the use of a fan while balancing the Kanto pole on their waist.

After the conclusion of the Night Performance, there will be a special event called "Fureai Kanto" where you can directly interact with the Kanto poles. You can get a close-up view, feel their size, and take commemorative photos, adding to the enjoyment of the festival.

If you have some extra time, I recommend watching the "Modori Kanto" (Return Kanto) as well. After the Akita Kanto Festival concludes, each Kanto pole returns to its respective neighborhood and is showcased to the local residents. Unlike the high-energy atmosphere of the Night Performance, the "Modori Kanto" offers a more intimate and welcoming ambiance with applause and warm cheers from the community.

By the way, the lanterns feature the "machi-mon" or the emblem of each neighborhood in Akita City. They depict various symbols representing each neighborhood, as well as patterns and characters that convey wishes for longevity, fertility, and bountiful harvest, reflecting the happiness of the local residents. When you are observing the festival, be sure to pay attention to the designs on the lanterns as well.

Furthermore, when it comes to festivals, food is an essential part of the experience! During the festival period, the Kanto Oodori Street is lined with the "Kanto Yataimura" (Kanto Food Stalls) on both the east and west sides.

At the Omachi Event Plaza, located just off the main street, the "Local Gourmet Festival" takes place, allowing you to indulge in various local delicacies from different regions of Akita Prefecture.

Treat yourself to specialties unique to Akita Prefecture, such as the famous "Yokote Yakisoba" from Yokote City or the local craft beer "Tazawako Beer" from Senboku City. It's an opportunity to fully savor the gourmet delights that Akita Prefecture has to offer.

Foreign language support for Akita Kanto Festival is as follows:
Website: English
Pamphlets: English/Chinese (simplified/traditional)/Korean
Staff Information: English

Akita City, where the Akita Kanto Festival takes place, is filled with wonderful tourist spots. We have compiled a list of recommended attractions below to assist you in planning your sightseeing itinerary.

The Akita City Folk Arts Center (Neburi Nagashi Kan) is a facility that introduces various folk events in Akita City, including the Akita Kanto Festival. On weekends and holidays from April to October, visitors can enjoy live demonstrations of Kanto poles and even try their hand at Kanto performances.

The remains of Kubota Castle, the former residence of the Satake clan, who ruled Akita. It has been transformed into a park and is renowned for its cherry blossoms. The "Osumi Yagura" tower, once used as a lookout, offers a popular vantage point with panoramic views of the cityscape.

The museum features permanent exhibitions of works by Shizuki Fujita and European paintings. The main highlight is the monumental mural "Akita's Festivals," measuring 365 x 2,025 cm. Pay special attention to the architectural beauty designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando.

There are numerous hotels in the vicinity of Akita Station, ranging from city hotels to business hotels. Here are six recommended places to stay for the Akita Kanto Festival.

The Akita Kanto Festival, where skilled performers showcase their amazing techniques, is a thrilling and captivating event! Experience the breathtaking spectacle firsthand and why not consider visiting Akita this summer?

Text by: Soko Sugawara
*The information in this article is current as of April 2023. Please check the official website or other reliable sources for the latest information.