Aomori Nebuta Matsuri

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri

It’s no secret that Japan has amazing and vibrant festivals. Aomori Nebuta Matsuri is one of Japenese festival . This festival is celebrated annually in early August in Aomori City, the capital of Prefecture, northern Japan. Aomori Nebuta Matsuri is the third-largest festival in Japan. So, when is this day celebrated, and how do people celebrate it? I will tell you about all of that in this quick guide. 

If you are interested in learning about more secular holidays then click on the given link Japanese Festivals/ East Asian Holidays

Stay tuned: Let’s dive right into the topic without further ado.

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri 2024|Ultimate Guide to this Exciting Festival

Nebuta Matsuri is one of the biggest and most vibrant night festivals in Japan and one of the most famous Aomori festivals. This festival is celebrated to honor meeting two mythical stars named Orihime and Hikoboshi, represented by the stars Vega and Altair, which the Milky Way separates. 

What sets Nebuta Matsuri apart is its spectacular illuminated floats called “Nebuta.” These floats are enormous structures made from wood and wire, covered with washi paper, and painted with bright and colorful designs. 

History of Aomori Nebuta Matsuri

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri

The famous Japanese festival, Tanabata Festival, inspires the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri. The festival started getting celebrated 3000 years ago. This festival evolved over the centuries and became an important and vibrant festival celebrated yearly in Japan from August 2nd to 7th. With the festival’s evolution, people also included Nebuta, the floats illuminated and decorated with different vibrant colors resembling history.

When is the Nebuta Matsuri Festival Celebrated?

The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri is celebrated annually from August 2nd to 7th in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. This lively and colorful festival occurs during the summer season, attracting visitors worldwide to witness the spectacular illuminated floats and vibrant festivities. Let me mention the dates of Nebuta Matsuri 2023,2024,2025 and 2026.

YearDates
2023August 2-7
2024August 2-7
2025August 2-7
2026August 2-7

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri: Where is it?

The Nebuta Matsuri, one of Japan’s most captivating festivals, is celebrated in Aomori City, the capital of Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan.  Now, let’s look at how Japanese people celebrate this beautiful festival.

How is the Nebuta Matsuri Festival celebrated?

Like other festivals in Japan, Nebuta Matsuri,  one of the best Aomori Prefecture festivals, is also celebrated greatly. The following celebrations are done on this day.

1. Float Parades

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri 2024|Ultimate Guide to this Exciting Festival

Float parades make Nebuta Matsuri quite a favorite and attract millions of tourists in Japan with its vibrant colors. The Nebuta, meaning floats in English, are designed creatively with different colors, light, and other crafts to make them even more beautiful. Then, these floats are paraded through Aomori City.

2. Traditional Music and Dance

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri 2024

Japan’s festivals combine traditional music and dance. So, people also dance to their traditional music on this particular day while wearing Yukatas, a traditional summer robe of Japan.

3. Illumination

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri

The floats are illuminated with thousands of paper lanterns and electric lights, enhancing the visual spectacle and adding to the vibrant ambiance of the festival.

4. Fireworks Display

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri 2024|Ultimate Guide to this Exciting Festival

The festival culminates in a grand fireworks display over Aomori Bay, illuminating the night sky with a dazzling array of colors, marking the conclusion of the week-long celebration.

5. Street Food and Souvenirs

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri

Numerous stalls line the streets, offering a variety of delicious street food, snacks, and traditional crafts, allowing attendees to indulge in local cuisine and purchase souvenirs as mementos of the festival.

What about getting accommodation?

Many of you may want to visit Aomori City, Japan, to witness the Aomori Japan festival from your own eyes. But, if you want to stay in any hotel, it’s better to book them a month in advance as Millions of people across the globe come to Aomori City, and all of the hotels are usually full on the festival days. So, it won’t be possible for you to get the accommodation there just after some days of the festival. 

Conclusion

Nebuta Matsuri, also known as the best Aomori festival in Japan, is celebrated greatly in Aomori city. This festival is celebrated with crafted, painted, and illuminated Nebutas, which are floats. Besides that, the people of Japan Day and millions of tourists across the globe celebrate this day by dancing to the traditional music of Japan and having their favorite foods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nebuta Yokai and its significance in the Aomori Japan summer festival?

Nebuta Yokai are mythical figures depicted on illuminated Nebuta floats during the Aomori Japan summer festival, celebrating local folklore and culture.

What makes the Big One Festival float unique in the Lantern Parade of Japan’s August events?

The Big One Festival float is a highlight in the Lantern Parade, showcasing elaborate craftsmanship and vibrant illumination during this renowned Japanese summer event.

What happens during Aomori Nebuta Matsuri?

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri features giant illuminated paper lantern floats, traditional dances, and music.

What does Nebuta festival mean?

“Nebuta” means large, colorful lantern floats in Japanese.

What do people do at the Nebuta Festival?

People participate in the Nebuta Festival by parading and dancing alongside these lantern floats, often accompanied by fireworks and traditional music.

What is Nebuta in Japanese?

“Nebuta” in Japanese refers to the lantern floats used in the festival.

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