[2024 event information] Aomori Nebuta Festival is the summer festival in Tohoku! Please note that the operating method will change slightly!

The Aomori Nebuta Festival will be held again this year for 6 days from August 2nd (Wednesday) to August 7th (Monday) (with an eve festival on August 1st)! The locals are sure to be excited about Aomori's world-class festival!

In this article, we will introduce information about the Aomori Nebuta Festival in 2024.

Aomori Nebuta Festival 2024 schedule

This year's event will be held from August 2nd to August 7th (with an eve festival on August 1st), and the venue will be the same as previous years. The operating route is as follows.

Unlike previous years, the departure points will be split into two locations, ★1 on the map above from the Shinmachi-dori/Yanagimachi-dori intersection and ★2 from the National Highway/Yanagimachi-dori intersection, and the service will merge midway.

Additionally, children's Nebuta on the 2nd and 3rd will depart from the Shinmachi-dori/Hakko-dori intersection near Aomori Station.

• Tuesday, August 1st (18:00-21:00)
  • Eve festival at the special stage of Aoiumi Park
• Wednesday, August 2nd (19:00~)
  • Approximately 10 children's Nebuta and 15 large Nebuta are in operation.
• Thursday, August 3rd (19:00~)
  • Approximately 10 children's Nebuta and 15 large Nebuta are in operation.
• Friday, August 4th (18:45~)
  • Approximately 20 large Nebuta floats in operation
• Saturday, August 5th (18:45~)
  • Approximately 20 large Nebuta floats in operation
• Sunday, August 6th (18:45~)
  • Operation of approximately 20 large Nebuta and announcement of award-winning Nebuta
• Monday, August 7th (last day)
  • （13：00～）Approximately 20 large Nebuta floats in operation
  • (Around 19:15-21:00) Fireworks display and Nebuta marine service at Aomori Port

Let's become Haneto and participate in the Nebuta Festival!

In addition to watching the Nebuta festival, you can also participate in the procession as a "Haneto"! The condition is that you are wearing formal Haneto attire!

What is Haneto's formal attire?

• Hanagasa on the head
• A bright red, pink, etc. "tasuki" is worn on the shoulder.
• At the waist there is a ``shigoki'' and a tin container ``gagashiko'' for drinking water and alcohol.
• Yukata based on white background
• The hem of the kimono is pulled up to the knees and a pink or blue ``okoshi'' is attached underneath.
• On her feet, she wears ``white tabi'' and ``zouri.'' The trick is to tie the zouri with a towel with an indigo polka dot pattern called ``mameshibori'' so that it doesn't fall off.

You cannot participate unless you are dressed like this. On the other hand, participation is free as long as you are properly dressed, so there is no need to register in advance or register on the day. (Depending on the congestion situation, you may not be able to participate.)

Once you are fully dressed and ready, gather at the Haneto meeting point, Shinmachi Yanagimachi Intersection Kaite (near the starting point of Large Nebuta ① on the operation map), and join the line of waiting Nebuta groups.

Haneto costumes can be purchased at department stores for around 10,000 yen. If you don't want to buy one, there are shops that rent out costumes and help you get dressed. The cost is approximately 4,000 yen.

Link: List of stores selling Haneto costumes (Aomori Nebuta Festival official website)

Contact information

• Name: Aomori Nebuta Festival Executive Committee
• Address: 4F Aomori Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hall, 1-2-18 Shinmachi, Aomori City, 030-0801
• Phone number: 017-723-7211
• Official URL: Aomori Nebuta Festival

At the eve festival, you can see all the large Nebuta floats in advance!

The eve festival is held from 18:00 to 21:00 on August 1st, the day before the Nebuta festival. The venue is Nebuta Rasse Land in Aoiumi Park, located behind Aomori's landmark ``ASPAM''.

In fact, here you can see all the large Nebuta floats lit up before the festival begins. On the day of the festival, there will be a crowd, so it may be difficult to see all the Nebuta in detail, but if you go to the eve festival, you can see the Nebuta in great detail!

Every year, various events are held on the stage inside the venue, including the introduction of Miss Nebuta, the introduction of the Nebuta made by Nebuta masters, Nebuta Hayashi performances, and a Hayashi contest, so if you have time and schedule, this is an event you should definitely go to.

Aomori Nebuta Festival Eve Festival <Information>

• Date and time: Tuesday, August 1, 2020 15:00-21:00
• Location: Aoiumi Park Nebuta Rasse Land
• Details: Aomori Nebuta Festival Official Website – Aomori Nebuta Festival Eve Festival

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Nebuta marine transportation and fireworks display decorate the finale of the festival

On August 7th, the last day of the Nebuta Festival, the last large Nebuta will be operated during the day (from 13:00), and in the evening (from around 19:15 to 21:00), the final festival will be held at Aomori Port. There will be a fireworks display and a Nebuta sea service.

Four Nebuta floats sail on the sea with about 10,000 fireworks in the background, and their majestic appearance brings the festival to a close. Some local people in Aomori say, ``It would be a waste to feel like you've had the full Nebuta experience without seeing this marine operation!'' In fact, I have been told this!

Nebuta Marine Operation/Fireworks Festival <Information>

• Date and time: Monday, August 7, 2020
• Location: Aomori Port
• fireworks launch
  • 7:15pm to 9:00pm
• Nebuta Marine Service
  • Departure from Hamacho Pier scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
  • Arrival at Aomori Port scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
  • Aomori Port departure scheduled for 7:50 p.m.
  • Arrival at Hamacho Pier scheduled for 8:30 p.m.
• Details: Aomori Nebuta Festival Official Website – Nebuta Maritime Operation and Fireworks Festival

summary

Aomori Nebuta Festival is one of Tohoku's most representative summer festivals. Of course, the main festival is wonderful, but there are also events at the beginning and end that can only be experienced at that time...it's a festival that you can't let your guard down.

Since it is held for about a week, it will be difficult to experience all of it, but if you are able to experience just one of the first half or the second half, you will discover a new charm of Nebuta. Maybe!

There is also a facility in front of Aomori Station called ``Nebuta no Ie Warasse'' where you can experience Nebuta culture throughout the year. Every year, the award-winning Nebuta from the previous year are displayed here, so even those who don't have plans to coincide with Nebuta can still enjoy the excitement of Nebuta!

Nebuta House Wa Rasse <Information>

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

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