Aomori Nebuta Matsuri
Aomori · Lantern festival
Huge illuminated warrior floats pushed through Aomori every August, with dancers running alongside.
Dates
2 to 7 August 2027
Held every year from 2 to 7 August.
What happens when
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 7 August 2027 | Floats on the water and fireworks The final day, when the floats are carried out into the bay. |
The floats are built on wire frames, papered, painted and lit from within, and they show warriors and gods mid-fight at a scale that fills the street. They are made new each year by named artists and then dismantled, which is why the festival never quite repeats itself. Around them run the haneto, dancers in a costume anyone can rent, hopping and shouting rassera as the floats turn. Renting the costume is what lets you join in rather than watch, and it is the difference between a good evening and a memorable one. On the last day the floats go out on the water and the fireworks follow.
Getting a good spot
Haneto costumes can be rented from shops and hotels in the city on the day, with no registration needed. Wearing one lets you join the dancing; without it you are asked to stay behind the rope.
Where it happens
Access
Common questions
When is Aomori Nebuta Matsuri?
From 2 to 7 August every year. The floats go out on the water on the final day, followed by fireworks.
Can visitors take part in the dancing?
Yes, if you wear the haneto costume, which can be rented in the city on the day without registering in advance.