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[Aomori Prefecture] The Aomori Nebuta Festival 2022 will be held for the first time in three years! Hot summer returns to Michinoku!

The long-awaited Nebuta Festival will be held for six days from August 2nd (Tue) to 7th (Sun)!

Due to the spread of COVID-19, the festival, like other festivals in Tohoku, has been canceled for two years, but there will be no end of excitement in the local Aomori area for the Nebuta Festival, which will be held for the first time in three years!

Here we will introduce information about the Aomori Nebuta Festival 2022, which will look a little different than usual

Aomori Nebuta Festival 2022 Schedule

As usual, the parade will take place from August 2nd to 7th, and the Nebuta parade venue will be the same as usual, but this year the floats will start one by one and will proceed counterclockwise, unlike usual

The children's Nebuta and carrying Nebuta will start in front of the Kyodosha Building, while the large Nebuta will start in front of Polestar Shinmachi Residence

  • Tuesday, August 2nd (7:00 PM - 9:20 PM) Children's Nebuta, 5 Carry-on Nebuta, 11 Large Nebuta
  • Wednesday, August 3rd (7:00 PM - 9:20 PM) 4 children's nebuta, 11 large nebuta
  • Thursday, August 4th (18:50-21:20) 1 large drum, 13 large Nebuta floats
  • Friday, August 5th (18:50-21:20) 1 large drum, 17 large Nebuta floats
  • Saturday, August 6th (18:50-21:20) 17 large Nebuta floats
  • Sunday, August 7th (13:00-15:00) 13 large Nebuta floats

The large Nebuta floats from the 2nd to the 5th will be judged, and winners will also be able to participate on the 6th and 7th

INFORMATION
  • Name of organization: Aomori Nebuta Festival Executive Committee
  • Address: 4F Aomori Chamber of Commerce and Industry Building, 1-2-18 Shinmachi, Aomori City, 030-0801
  • Phone: 017-723-7211
  • FAX: 017-723-7215
  • URL:Aomori Nebuta Festival Executive Committee
  • Google Map Aomori Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Haneto dances liven up the Nebuta Festival

Haneto is written as "Haneto" and literally means "a person who jumps."

In front of and behind the Nebuta, they jump around energetically shouting "Rasse-ra! Rasse-ra!" and making the sound of bells attached to their bodies

They add excitement to the movements of the Nebuta, and the Nebuta, the music, and the audience all come together to liven up the festival

It's a test of physical strength in the summer heat, but the beer afterwards tastes amazing!

If you plan to participate, make sure to keep your legs and back in good condition and don't forget to stay hydrated from the water tank that travels with the group of haneto

Can I become a haneto even if I'm not a local?

The great thing about the Nebuta Festival is that anyone can participate as a Haneto as long as they follow a few simple rules

The rules of haneto are as follows:

  • Make it a bright festival that everyone can enjoy
  • Wear formal attire (see below) and a flower hat
  • Follow the instructions of the festival organizers
  • Do not bring in noisemakers, firecrackers, or fireworks
  • Do not throw away empty cans
  • Do not bring in a one-liter bottle of sake

However, due to the impact of COVID-19, in 2022, Haneto will require advance registration

Local people will also be entered by lottery, and due to the high competition, it will be difficult to participate this year

I hope that from next year onwards we can go back to being open to participation as before

What is the formal attire for haneto?

The complete set of formal attire can be purchased at department stores in Aomori City for around 10,000 yen

Additionally, rental and dressing at kimono shops and clothing stores in the city costs around 4,000 yen, but it is recommended to make reservations early as they tend to be busy

The formal attire is listed on the festival's official website, but is roughly as follows:

  • They wear flower hats with bean-dyed details and sashes in bright colors such as red and pink around their shoulders
  • They wear a "shigoki" around their waist and carry a bell and a tin container called a "gagashiko" for drinking water
  • The bottom of the white yukata is rolled up to the knees, and a pink or blue "okoshi" is attached underneath
  • Wear white tabi socks and sandals and tie them with thin bean-dyed string

The origin and history of Nebuta

The origin of Nebuta is said to be when Shogun Sakanoue no Tamuramaro built a large lantern and played flutes and drums to lure his enemies, but it seems that the actual origin is based on events such as the Tanabata Festival and Nemuri Nagashi

The current form of Nebuta was established in the 1950s, when Nebuta artist Keizo Kitagawa used a wire core and placed a battery and fluorescent light inside to create a bright, shining Nebuta, which is said to have enhanced its artistic quality

How are Nebuta made?

The size of the Nebuta floats is approximately 9m wide, 5m high, and 7m deep, and the subjects are often legends from Japan and China, historical figures, scenes from Kabuki, and statues of gods and Buddhas, but sometimes local heroes or historical dramas are featured

The production process involves 10 steps, from deciding on the subject matter to drawing the rough sketch (blueprint), building the frame, wiring the electrical wiring, pasting the paper, and coloring, all of which are carried out by Nebuta artists (14 people as of 2018)

Heart-stirring Nebuta music

The unique melody of the flute evokes nostalgia, the gorgeous bells held in both hands called "tefuri-gane," and the heroic tune of the drums lift the spirits

The Nebuta bayashi music continues to be played at the same tune throughout the Nebuta floats' movements. It is an unforgettable music that stirs the hearts of Japanese people once heard

summary

After two years of silence due to the spread of COVID-19, summer in Tohoku is finally returning!

The long-awaited return of summer for the first time in three years will not only be felt at the Aomori Nebuta Festival, but in all six Tohoku prefectures

Be sure to visit festivals across Tohoku to enjoy the short summer

Additionally, at the Nebuta House Wa Rasse in front of JR Aomori Station, Nebuta music is always playing and Nebuta floats are on display. You can always feel the festival atmosphere, so be sure to stop by

INFORMATION
  • Facility name: Nebuta House Wa Rasse
  • URL: http://www.nebuta.jp/warasse/
  • Address: 1-1-1 Yasukata, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, 030-0803
  • Phone number: 017-752-1311
  • Google Map Nebuta House Wa Rasse

 

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