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Event Guide · Tohoku

Aomori Nebuta Festival

AugustAomori & Hakkoda
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Overview

Overview

One of Tohoku’s leading summer festivals, held every year from August 2 to 7 in central Aomori City and designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Said to have evolved from Tanabata lantern-floating, it features huge human-figure nebuta floats, about 9 m wide, 7 m deep and 5 m tall, parading through the city with haneto dancers leaping to the chant of “Rassera!”

When
Every year August 2–7 (eve festival on August 1; night parades August 2–6; daytime parade, evening sea parade and Aomori Fireworks Festival on the 7th)
Venue
Parade route in central Aomori City (Shinmachi-dori, the national highway, Heiwa Koen-dori and more; about 10 min on foot from JR Aomori Station). The eve festival and sea parade take place around Aoi Umi Park
Official website
https://www.nebuta.jp/
Official website (English) ↗
Highlights

Highlights

The biggest draws are the powerful illuminated human-figure nebuta and the energy of the haneto dancers leaping to the chant of “Rassera, Rassera!” On the final night, six prize-winning nebuta are carried out to sea on barges for a finale with more than 10,000 fireworks.

Times

Times

Eve festival17:00–21:00 (planned)

August 1, special stage at Aoi Umi Park. For 2026, it was announced to start from 10:00. Official information for 2026

Night parade (children’s nebuta and large nebuta)19:00–

August 2 and 3; departure time of the leading children’s nebuta. About 10 children’s nebuta and about 15 large nebuta. Official information for 2026

Night parade (large nebuta)18:45–

August 4–6, about 20 large nebuta. Prizes announced on the 6th. Official information for 2026

Daytime parade13:00–

August 7, about 20 large nebuta. Official information for 2026

Sea parade & Aomori Fireworks FestivalAbout 19:15–21:00

August 7. Prize-winning nebuta are carried on barges around Aomori Port as fireworks are launched. Official information for 2026

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Anyone wearing the full formal haneto costume can join as a haneto, with no advance registration or same-day sign-up. Gather on the sea side of the Shinmachi-Yanagimachi intersection before the parade starts and join a nebuta group before it sets off. Jumping in partway through is prohibited
  • ✓Haneto costumes can be bought at department stores and elsewhere in the city, and rentals with dressing are also available
  • ✓For a guaranteed seat, buy a paid viewing seat (2026: 4,000 yen per person for 8/2–6 and the daytime parade on the 7th; 9,500 yen for the daytime parade plus fireworks on the 7th, guidebook included). In 2026, lottery and general sales began in June. There is also a reservation page for overseas visitors
  • ✓Each day’s parade lasts about 2 hours. Arrive at the route before it starts for a relaxed view
  • ✓Even outside the festival period, you can see real nebuta and learn the festival’s history at Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse near Aomori Station
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • JR Aomori Station (JR Ou Line and Aoimori Railway)About 10 min on footTo the parade route in central Aomori City
From major stations
  • Aomori Airport: By car (About 30 min)
IC cards (Suica etc.)
Nationally interoperable IC transit cards such as Suica can be used on conventional lines around JR Aomori Station (within the Aomori area only; trips crossing into other Suica areas such as Morioka, Akita or Sendai are not possible)
Getting back
  • Right after the parade ends, crowds head toward Aomori Station, so waiting a little makes walking easier
  • It gets especially crowded after the sea parade and fireworks on the night of the 7th, so leave plenty of time for your return train
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Every night parade, especially on weekends, and the sea parade and fireworks on August 7
Quieter times
The daytime parade on August 7
Saving a spot
To watch for free from the route, secure a spot before the parade starts. A paid viewing seat is the sure option
Time needed
Each day’s parade lasts about 2 hours
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
Aomori’s August normals are a high of 27.8°C and a low of 20.0°C (JMA normals). Nights are around 20°C, and short sleeves are often fine
What to wear
Summer clothes are fine. If you join as a haneto you’ll sweat, so bring drinks and a towel. A raincoat is handy in case of rain
Rain, snow & typhoons
The nebuta are covered with large plastic sheets and parade even in rain. Viewing seats have no roof, so bring rain gear instead of an umbrella (umbrellas block the view of people behind you)
Where to check for cancellations
Aomori Nebuta Festival official website (https://www.nebuta.jp/), Aomori Nebuta Festival Executive Committee Office (017-723-7211)
☁ Tohoku weather in August →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Haneto must wear the formal costume and must not cut in partway through the parade
  • !Do not bring whistles or other items unrelated to nebuta music. Fireworks, firecrackers and bottles are also prohibited
  • !Do not litter empty cans or other trash. Take your trash home
  • !Do not move against the flow of the parade, and follow parade staff instructions. Make way immediately for emergency vehicles
  • !Do not open umbrellas in the viewing seats; use rain gear
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Toilets along the route and in nearby commercial facilities get crowded, so go before the parade starts
Lockers & luggage
It’s best to leave suitcases at your accommodation before coming
Paying at food stalls
Some street stalls may be cash only, so bring cash as well
ATMs
Convenience store ATMs around Aomori Station and in the city center
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
Wheelchair spaces are available in the paid viewing seats (2026: 8/2–6 and the daytime parade on the 7th; 3,200 yen for the user and 4,000 yen for one companion, up to 2 people)
Food

Food

Local favorites
Scallop dishesSeafood rice bowls (Nokke-don)Aomori apple sweetsGinger-miso oden
Vegetarian & halal
Street stalls rarely label vegetarian or halal options, so it helps to look up nearby restaurants in advance
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Accommodation in Aomori City gets extremely busy during the festival, so book early. If you can’t find a room in the city, consider staying in nearby cities such as Hirosaki or Hachinohe

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Aomori Nebuta FestivalPR

PRSee more places to stay near Aomori Nebuta Festival on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Attractions

Attractions in Aomori & Hakkoda

Aquarium

Aomori Prefectural Asamushi Aquarium

Tohoku ・ Aomori & Hakkoda

An Aomori Prefecture-run aquarium in Asamushi Onsen, facing Mutsu Bay. Admission is free for high school students and younger, and just ¥1,200 for general visitors. It's about a 10-minute walk from Asamushi-Onsen Station on the Aoimori Railway and about 20 minutes by train from Aomori Station, making it easy to combine with sightseeing in Aomori City.

☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
See all attractions →
Events

Events & festivals in Tohoku

February

Yokote Kamakura Festival

Tohoku ・ Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen

From 2026, held every year on the second Friday and Saturday of February (the Friday and Saturday just before the Bonden events; changed to the second Friday and Saturday on a trial basis through 2029)

2027: Feb 12 (Fri) & Feb 13 (Sat)

April–May

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival

Tohoku ・ Hirosaki

Usually late April to early May (timed to the cherry blossom season; April 10 – May 5 in 2026)

2027: Apr 16 (Fri) – May 5 (Wed, holiday), 20 days

August

Akita Kanto Festival

Tohoku ・ Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen

Every year August 3–6 (night kanto on all 4 days; daytime kanto = Myogi Taikai skills competition on the 4th–6th)

August

Sendai Tanabata Festival

Tohoku ・ Sendai & Matsushima

Every year August 6–8 (Sendai Tanabata Fireworks Festival as the eve event on August 5)

December–February

Zao Snow Monsters Light-up

Tohoku ・ Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera

The light-up is usually held on selected days from late December to late February (36 days between December 27 and February 22 in the 2025–2026 season). The best season for the snow monsters is late January to late February

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Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-10-02

PRKlookAomori Private Tour (with Local Guide)A 5-hour private tour with a local guide to Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse, Hakkoda and moreView