Aomori Nebuta matsuri festival

Published on : 18/07/2025
by : K.C.

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L'Aomori Nebuta matsuri est l'un des trois plus grands festivals de la région du Tôhoku au Japon. — The Aomori Nebuta matsuri is one of the three biggest festivals in Japan's Tôhoku region.
@Laura Tomàs Avellana

Night parade

The Aomori Nebuta matsuri, also known as Nebuta matsuri, is one of the three biggest festivals in the Tôhoku region. It takes place every summer in the city of Aomori, between August 1 and 7.

Détail des chars du Aomori Nebuta matsuri qui a lieu à Aomori — Detail of the floats at the Aomori Nebuta matsuri in Aomori
@Christopher Liang

Floats in celebration

The Aomori Nebuta matsuri dates back 300 years. This festival was traditionally held on July 7, according to the lunar calendar. Wooden and bamboo structures are covered in paper, then hand-painted to create historical figures, samurai and legendary beasts. Mounted on floats, the structures, called nebuta, are illuminated. Not to be confused with the Neputa matsuri festival, which takes place in nearby Hirosaki!

Today, the Aomori and Hirosaki festivals are very popular and attract many tourists. They are among the four biggest festivals in the Tôhoku region, along with the Akita Kanto matsuri lantern festival in Akita, the Tanabata festival in Sendai and the Yamagata Hanagasa flower hat festival in Yamagata.

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An opening ceremony is held on August 1. From August 2 to 6, the city's evenings are the scene of nocturnal parades where you can admire these paper giants at your leisure. The festival ends with a fireworks display on the 7th. Put on your best Haneto yukata !