See the schedule on the official Nebuta website (English)

The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri is a vibrant and traditional Japanese summer festival known for its massive illuminated paper lantern floats, lively parades, and cultural celebrations. One of Japan’s leading and most traditional summer festivals, it takes place every August.

“Nebuta” are giant lanterns, which can be as large as five meters in height and nine meters in length, and the lanterns, on floats, make their way around the city area, near JR Aomori Station.

Visitors from not just within Japan, but from Asia, America, Europe, and all around the world gather here to see these amazing sights.

During the festival, the streets around Aomori Station (Shinmachi Dōri, Heiwa-Kōen Dōri, National Route 4, and Hakko Dōri, amongst others) are closed, and the Nebuta will be brought out to run down the center of these streets, in a 3.1-kilometer-long parade.

Beer and other street snack stores line the sides of the roads, making for an exciting experience as you walk down the street.

Though the origins of the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri are not exactly clear, it is believed to have originated from the Nara period (from 710 to 794), when the tradition of floating lanterns down streams during Tanabata, or the Star Festival, arrived from China and was altered.

To ward off the drowsiness that interferes with agriculture and farm work, lanterns and bamboo were floated down the rivers and oceans.

In Japanese, the word for “sleepy” is “nemutai,” and the word eventually evolved into “nebuta,” the name of the festival.

From the beginning of May each year, “Nebuta Rasse Land” appears at Aoiumi Park next to Aomori Port. This is where the workshops that build the nebuta floats are housed, which are painstakingly crafted from scratch each year.

This process takes around three months, with the nebuta masters and assistants working non-stop every day to ensure only the best are unveiled to the public.

After stepping inside one of the tents, massive nebuta floats appear before us. Some have faces, while others are yet to be covered with paper. This particular tent is the workshop of the Nebuta Appreciation Society, where lovers of the art gather to raise funds by selling products and such, even in the absence of sponsors.

We interviewed Shin Suwa, the craftsman of the Nebuta Appreciation Society.

Everyone inside the tent was in high spirits. Painting, connecting wires, pasting on paper - all were working hard to bring their creation to life. For nebuta craftspeople, an essential element is imbuing a nebuta with their heart and soul to show people their passion.

“I want as many people to see our nebuta as possible,” said Shin as he added color to his creation. Never resting until satisfied, these impassioned craftspeople eagerly await the day when their handiwork will light up the streets, hoping that more and more people in Japan and the world can visit and discover its magic.

The duty of introducing the gigantic nebuta floats falls to “Miss Nebuta.” The Miss Nebuta contest began 50 years ago, with the winner serving as the tourism ambassador for the festival.

2022 marked the first-ever non-Japanese winner of the Miss Nebuta Grand Prix with Wu Yung-Hsin from Taiwan.

Wu Yung-Hsin came to Japan as an exchange student in 2015, moving to Aomori City in spring 2020 as a member of an international exchange team to introduce the culture and characteristics of Taiwan and Aomori.

She was hesitant when first hearing about the Miss Nebuta contest, but plucked up the courage to apply. After passing through written screenings and interviews, she was eventually selected as the 2022 Miss Nebuta among 12 finalists.

Despite her willingness to face the challenge, she was doubtful she’d get anywhere at first. “When I heard my name being announced, I was so shocked I couldn’t speak.”

“Being Taiwanese, I can communicate in several languages and help promote the charm of the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri to many people throughout the world.”

Displaying her abilities and confidence to the interviewers, it’s no surprise they decided to pick her to help lead the festival into a new age.

Asked how to make the most of the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Wu answered, “I recommend staying for two days and spending the night. On the first day, walk, explore the streets, and check out all the nebuta floats. On the second day, experience the festival’s energy through the haneto procession.”

“The nebuta floats themselves are really cool!” said a fired-up Wu. “They brim with force and vigor, and you’ll surely become spellbound seeing them sway back and forth.”

Wu says that if you have the chance to visit Japan in 2023, she strongly suggests lining up your trip with the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri.

From Nebuta lanterns crafted by local children to the grand debut of colossal Nebuta floats, the festival showcases a wide array of attractions.

The parade route for the floats varies daily, offering a chance to witness them regardless of the festival day you attend. However, August 6th is highly recommended, as it features special performances by renowned artists and a float creators' award ceremony. On this day, you can also marvel at the award-winning floats.

Additionally, on the festival's closing day, August 7th, you can witness the massive Nebuta parading through the streets during the daytime, and in the evening, the award-winning Nebuta floats will gracefully glide across the sea. The spectacle of Nebuta lanterns drifting on the water creates a truly surreal and captivating sight, making it an experience you won't want to overlook.

Another standout feature of the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri is the "Haneto." Adorned in extravagant and flamboyant attire, these performers enthusiastically chant "rassera, rassera, rasse-rasse-rassera" while engaging in lively jumps and dances. Their spirited performances contribute significantly to the festival's vibrant ambiance.

Against the backdrop of the lantern-bearing carts, their energetic dancing is so infectious that it may inspire you to join in and dance alongside them.

While the Haneto performers primarily set the festive tone, regular attendees are more than welcome to join in the fun. Foreign visitors can also participate without the need for pre-registration.

To join, simply don the standard Haneto outfit and wait at designated points along the parade route before it begins.

You can purchase the outfit for around 4,000 yen from the Aomori City Office, or you can opt to rent it. The official Aomori Nebuta Matsuri website provides information on where to obtain the outfit and offers English explanations of the rules, making it easy for you to participate.

If you're eager to fully immerse yourself in the festival experience, participating as a Haneto alongside the locals is a fantastic option. They will gladly teach you the Haneto dance, creating an opportunity to build connections and learn from them.

However, be prepared for a physically demanding experience, as the dance can be quite strenuous and may leave your legs feeling tired the following day.

The festival boasts a range of other captivating attractions, including the melodic tunes of flutes, the powerful rhythms of taiko drums, and the resounding and unforgettable "shan, shan, shan" echoes of the teburigane, a distinctive type of cymbal.

These musical performances, known as "hayashi," are considered an integral part of the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, and it is said that the festival wouldn't be complete without them.

In addition to the already stunning Nebuta lanterns, the Haneto and Hayashi performances add excitement and energy to the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri.

For those who want an up-close experience, you can secure a paid viewing seat through various ticketing services or vending machines at the Aomori City Office.

These seats come with assigned seating and are priced at 3,500 yen (including tax; 2024 prices to be determined) per ticket. The pipe chairs and box seats provide an opportunity to be right at the heart of the parade, allowing you to fully appreciate its magnificence.

Of course, you can also enjoy the Nebuta and Haneto performances, as well as the Hayashi music, for free along the streets.

However, please note that the atmosphere can become lively and chaotic, potentially leading to separation from your companions. Exercise caution to avoid injuries in the midst of the festivities!

When planning your visit to the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, we recommend taking the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo Station to Shin-Aomori Station and then transferring to the JR Ou Main Line, which will take you to Aomori Station.

The festival is conveniently located near Aomori Station, so you won't have any trouble finding it. Nebuta Rasse Land and the Nebuta procession route are also situated in the residential areas around the station, making it a manageable walk.

Here's a breakdown of the transportation steps:

Step 1: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Aomori Station (Approximately 3 to 3.5 hours).

Step 2: Transfer to the JR Ou Main Line from Shin-Aomori Station to Aomori Station (Approximately 6 minutes).

For travelers with international passports, consider using the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) for convenience and savings.

As the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri is held around Aomori Station, hotels and other accommodations are plentiful. Access is also a breeze, and many rooms boast direct views of the processions from their windows. Of course, rooms fill up quickly, so we recommend booking as early as possible.

If you can’t book a hotel in Aomori City, there’s still hope! Using the JR EAST PASS, you can freely and easily take the train to nearby cities like Hirosaki, Goshogawara, and Hachinohe and spend the night there.

You can also stay in the hot spring resort town of Asamushi Onsen, which is around 30 mins by car or train from Aomori City, making for a more relaxing and memorable trip!

For sightseers who plan to see the Nebuta at night, you can spend the daytime exploring the surrounding facilities, and learning more about its history and the construction process of the Nebuta, for a more enjoyable festival experience.

For example, a one-minute walk away from JR Aomori Station is Nebuta Museum WA-RASSE, a museum that highlights the history and draws of the Nebuta Festivals, and has an information corner where you can learn about the origin and history of the festival from the large Nebuta on display, and even an event space where you can experience the Hayashi and Haneto for yourself.

The explanations on the exhibits inside are available in English, Chinese, and other languages as well. Recently, a translation system that allows you to scan a QR code with your smartphone to view information about the Nebuta in your own language was also implemented.

With multi-language support, you can have fun without any worries. The place is open all year round, and it’s recommended to try out the Nebuta Matsuri experience during the off-season too.

On top of that, about eight minutes away from JR Aomori Station is “Nebuta Rasse Land” in Aoiumi Park. Every year from spring to summer (until August 6), around 20 large Nebuta are lined up for display. You can see the pristine state of the Nebuta before departure up close, and seeing them while taking in the ocean view is an enjoyable activity indeed.

Rather than simply watching the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, learning about its origins and history, and participating in various experiences will make your first visit there 100% more enjoyable.

Hype yourself up at the festival with the locals, and have an unforgettable six days together. Foreign language support is available as well, so do be sure to come and enjoy Tohoku’s largest festival!

Text by: Tsubasa Shimoda, craftspeople and Miss Nebuta interview + 2022 updates by Shitamachi Kizoku

*This article was originally published in April 2020, and updated in September 2023. Always confirm the latest information on official websites, etc.