[Recommended Autumn Festivals: Aomori Edition] Introducing Aomori's autumn festivals and local cuisine!

When it comes to festivals in Aomori Prefecture, the summer festivals held in early August, such as the " Aomori Nebuta Festival ," " Hirosaki Neputa Festival," " Goshogawara Tachinebuta ," and "Hachinohe Sansha Taisai," are famous throughout Japan

However, what is not widely known is that there are Bon Odori dances that take place after these summer festivals, as well as autumn festivals that are held mainly in the Sanpachi Kamikita region and Shimokita Peninsula in the eastern part of the prefecture

When does the Autumn Festival start and end?

According to the calendar, autumn runs from August 7th, the beginning of autumn, to the day before November 7th, the beginning of winter, according to the 24 solar terms. If we apply this to the Tohoku region, the end of the summer festivals held in various places in early August marks the arrival of autumn

In this article, we will refer to the period from August 7th onwards as "autumn" according to the calendar, and festivals held after that date as "autumn festivals."

What is the definition of a festival?

The definition of " festival " as listed on Wikipedia is "an act (ritual) of honoring gods, Buddhas, and ancestors for the purpose of expressing gratitude, prayer, or commemoration ."

On the other hand, there are also " music festivals " and " harvest festivals " that are different from traditional religious ceremonies , and these events, which involve enjoying music and local cuisine, are also generally considered "festivals" in a broad sense.

In this article, we will introduce some recommended autumn festivals that are fun to visit, from traditional and formal festivals to music festivals and gourmet festivals

Kuroishi Yosare (Kuroishi City: August 15th-16th)

In Kuroishi City, with a population of approximately 30,000, as many as 3,000 dancers parade through the streets, making it one of Japan's "Three Great Street Dances ," alongside Tokushima's " Awa Odori " and Gifu's " Gujō Odori ."

Dancers, dressed in yukata adorned with sparrow and rice stalk patterns and straw hats, perform a parade dance to songs such as "Kuroishi Yosare," "Kuroishi Jinku" "Kuroishi Jonkara," and "Tsugaru Jinku(Dodarebachi)," accompanied by drums and Tsugaru shamisen.

About the origin of Kuroishi Yosare

The songs that are sung are said to have originated as love songs from 500 to 600 years ago, and have continued to the present day since the Kuroishi domain encouraged them to gather people together to promote the economy during the Edo period

There are several theories about the origin of the word "yosare," but the most popular one is the following, but none of them are established theories

When there is a good harvest and you are having fun, the phrase "Stop work and dance happily" comes to mind, with "stop work" and "do it" meaning "stop work."

When times are tough due to poor harvests, it's better to say "leave this world as soon as possible," and to "leave the world."

Kuroishi Yosare Three Dances

It is mainly divided into three dances:

• Kumiodori: Several people perform a dance in unison, and each group competes in choreography and other aspects at a competition
• Nagashi Odori: Each group parades around the town, dancing along a circular course
• Mawari Odori: In the middle of the Nagashi Odori, people dance while spinning in a circle (there are also days when only the Mawari Odori is performed)

Following the street dance, there is a segment called " odorihadari ," during which 30 minutes the audience can join in and enjoy the circular dance

Kuroishi Yosare <Information>

• Location: Central shopping district, Konan Railway Konan Kuroishi Station Square, etc
• Event period: Thursday, August 15th to Friday, August 16th, 2024 (Reiwa 6)
• For inquiries, please contact: Kuroishi Tourism Association
• Phone number: 0172-52-3488
• URL:Kuroishi Tourism Association Official Website

Kuroishi's soul food "Kuroishi Tsuyu Yakisoba"

" Kuroishi Tsuyu Yakisoba ," a stir-fried noodle dish made with chewy, flat noodles and seasoned with Worcestershire sauce, is served with a Japanese-style dashi broth and has become a popular local delicacy in Kuroishi, enjoyed nationwide.

There are several theories about its origin, but the most likely one is that it started at a shop called "Mimasu" that used to be in the city. Nowadays, there are apparently more than 70 restaurants that serve tsuyu yakisoba.

Kuroishi Tsuyu Yakisoba ＜Information＞

• Contact: Kuroishi Tsuyu Yakisoba Denshokai
• Phone number: 0172-52-4316
• URL:Kuroishi City Hall Official Website

Tanabe Festival (Mutsu City: August 18th to 22nd)

At the annual festival of Tanabu Shrine in Mutsu City, known for its delicious fresh seafood, five gorgeous floats parade along with the music of Gion bayashi, reminiscent of the Gion Festival in Kyoto, praying for bountiful harvests and prosperous business

The highlights include the way the floats change direction with the wheels squealing to the shouts of " Yadekoraseno " and " Yattore, " and the nighttime procession accompanied by the shouts of " Yamayare, Yamayare " and traditional night music

On the final day, the festival reaches its climax with the " Five Floats Farewell " ceremony, in which all five floats— Inariyama , Shojoyama , Daikokuyama , Ebisuyama , and Koroho —gather together

Gorgeous floats reminiscent of the Gion Festival

The decorations and music of the floats change between day and night

During the day, the floats are decorated with glitteringly embroidered large and small mizuhiki curtains, farewell curtains, and blinds, and at night they are replaced with illuminated picture lanterns called gaku

The operation of each Yama is managed by a group organized within each neighborhood in the city

Tanabe Festival <Information>

• Location: Sanbongi-Odori and Kanchogai-dori streets in the city (including the central parking lot)
• Event period: August 18th (Sun) to August 20th (Tue), 2024 (Reiwa 6)　
• Contact: Towada Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Address: 2F Towada Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 4-11 Nishinibancho, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0176-24-1111
• URL:Towada City Autumn Festival Official Website

When you think of Mutsu City, you think of Ominato, and when you think of Ominato, you think of "JMSDF Curry"!

In Ominato , Mutsu City , there is a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force base, and the curry served to the base personnel is known as " JMSDF Curry " and can be enjoyed at restaurants throughout the city.

In the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, curry is served for dinner every Friday. This is a tradition that dates back to the Imperial Japanese Navy, and the reason for this is to prevent soldiers from losing track of the days of the week during long periods of service on board ships

The JMSDF curry is prepared in a unique way for each unit (escort ship) and is served at different restaurants, so it's interesting to try them all and see the differences

Ominato JMSDF Curry <Information>

• For inquiries, please contact the Ominato JMSDF Curry Promotion Association Secretariat (Mutsu City City Promotion Promotion Division)
• Phone number: 0175-22-1111
• URL:Ominato Maritime Self-Defense Force Curry Promotion Association Official Website

Gonohe Festival (Gonohe Town: August 30th - September 1st)

Hachiman-gu,Inari-jinja, andShinmei-gu shrines, is said to be connected to Kyoto's Gion Matsuri, and features nine elaborately decorated floats and portable shrines, each depicting myths and legends, parading through the streets.

The festival is a spectacular and magnificent spectacle. The chants sung while the floats are being pulled are similar to the Tairyobushi song, a unique feature not found in neighboring festivals

During the festival, many events are held, including nighttime float competitions and street dances, as well as the " Oshu Yosakoi Festival ."

Floats parading through the hilly town

The town of Gonohe is known for its many hills, and the sight of the floats climbing up these hills is a major highlight of the festival

Some of the slopes have a difference in elevation of over 30 meters, and some slopes cannot be climbed unless the pullers work together with all their might. The sight of the large floats working together as one to climb the slopes, accompanied by cheers from the spectators, is truly impressive

Gonohe Festival <Information>

• Location: Gonohe town center
• Event period: Friday, August 30th to Sunday, September 1st, 2024 (Reiwa 6)
• For inquiries, please contact: Gonohe Town Tourism Association
• Phone number: 0178-62-7155
• URL:Gonohe Town Tourism Association OfficialWebsite
• URL:Gonohe Town Official Website

What are the "Gonohe Three Great Meats"?

Gonohe Town is known for its delicious horse meat , but it also boasts other brands of beef called " Aomori Kuraishi Beef " and local chicken called " Aomori Shamo Rock ," and these three are collectively known as the " Gonohe Three Great Meats ."

In addition to simple yakiniku, restaurants in the town offer a variety of menus featuring the three major meats

Gonohe's three major meats <Information>

• Contact: Gonohe Town General Policy Division
• Phone number: 0178-62-7952
• URL:Gonohe Town Official Website

Towada City Autumn Festival (Towada City: September 6th-8th)

This festival began in 1949 (Showa 24) to coincide with the annual festival of Sanbongi Inari Shrine, which was built in Sanbongihara, the site of development at the end of the Edo period

In addition to the portable shrine, gorgeously decorated floats and drum carriages by Towada citizens are paraded through the city, and the sound of heroic drumming by drummers displaying their brilliant drumming skills echoes throughout the city

Towada Bayashi, created after the war

After the Pacific War, festivals from all over the city were consolidated, and each district had its own unique music, so the whole festival could never get excited with the same music and drums

Therefore, in 2006 (Heisei 18), the creation of a common ohayashi was planned and the result was the three Towada bayashi pieces, with taiko drums playing the main role

• Fighting Drums: When the floats meet, they put on a passionate performance
• Susume Taiko: Music played while the floats are moving
• Rest drum: A musical accompaniment played while the floats are resting or waiting

Towada City Autumn Festival <Information>

• Location: Sanbongi Boulevard, Kanchogai Street area (including Central Parking)
• Event period: Friday, September 6th to Sunday, September 8th, 2024 (Reiwa 6)
• Contact: Towada Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Phone number: 0176-24-1111
• URL:Towada City Autumn Festival Official Website

"Towada Beef Belly Grill" won the B1 Gold Grand Prix!

Towada Bara-yaki , a dish of beef short ribs and plenty of onions grilled on a hot plate with a sweet and savory soy sauce-based sauce , can be enjoyed at over 80 restaurants in Towada City.

Some restaurants use not only beef belly but also pork, horse, and lamb belly, and each restaurant competes to be the most original by developing the vegetables and secret sauces they add to their dishes

Towada Barayaki <Information>

• For inquiries, please contact Towada Barayaki Seminar
• Phone number: 0176-25-7758
• URL:Towada Barayaki Seminar Official Website

summary

In the former Hirosaki domain in western Aomori, there are many festivals featuring paraded floats and lanterns such as "Nebuta" and "Neputa," while in the former Morioka domain in the east, there are many festivals featuring paraded floats similar to those in Kyoto's Gion Festival

Additionally, "Nebuta" and "Neputa" are held as part of the Tanabata festival in early August, but festivals featuring floats, which are common in the eastern and Shimokita areas, are held in the fall to pray for a good harvest

Autumn Festival Series of the Six Tohoku Prefectures

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[Recommended Autumn Festivals: Aomori Edition] Introducing Aomori's autumn festivals and local cuisine!

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/34146

Aomori Prefecture's festivals are famous nationwide for their summer festivals held in early August, including the Aomori Nebuta Festival, Hirosaki Neputa Festival, Goshogawara Tachineputa, and the Hachinohe Sansha Grand Festival. However, what is less well known is that the prefecture also hosts the Bon Odori dances that follow these summer festivals, as well as the autumn festivals held mainly in the Sanpachi Kamikita region and on the Shimokita Peninsula in the eastern part of the prefecture. When do the "autumn festivals" start and end? Shichinohe Autumn Festival. Source: Aomori Prefecture Tourism Information Site Amazing AOMORI. According to the calendar, autumn runs from August 7th, the beginning of autumn, to the day before November 7th, the beginning of winter, according to the 24 solar terms. If we apply this to the Tohoku region,...

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Autumn festivals in northern Iwate Prefecture are characterized by the parade of colorfully decorated floats, often featuring warrior dolls and decorative curtains, through the streets. Local children always play traditional music as the floats are paraded, allowing visitors to enjoy the unique flavor of each region. In this article, we'll introduce three autumn festivals in northern Iwate Prefecture: Morioka, Hanamaki, and Kuji, along with the region's B-grade gourmet food. When do "autumn festivals" begin and end? Morioka Autumn Festival, in front of the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building. Source: Tohoku Tourism and Travel Information Site. According to the Tohoku Calendar, the beginning of autumn, one of the 24 solar terms, falls on August 7th, followed by the beginning of winter on November 11th...

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When asked, "What is the first festival that comes to mind when you think of Yamagata Prefecture?", many people would likely answer the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival, held annually from August 5th to 7th. While Yamagata Prefecture is often known for its summer festivals, it also hosts autumn festivals throughout the prefecture from the end of August through September, where you can enjoy delicious gourmet food and a taste of the autumn harvest. Here, we've picked out some recommended festivals from Yamagata Prefecture. When do "autumn festivals" start and end? Yamagata's signature summer festival, the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival. Source: Yamagata Prefecture's official tourism website, "Travel to Yamagata," uses the calendar to mark the 24 solar terms...

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Miyagi Prefecture's major autumn festivals include the annual festival of Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, the main shrine of the Sendai domain, which had a fiefdom of 620,000 koku. Another famous autumn event is the Masamune Festival at Mt. Iwate, where the domain's founder, Date Masamune, based before founding Sendai. The Jazz Festival, featuring a variety of music, primarily jazz, is also enjoyed as a colorful celebration of Sendai's autumn, with street corner stages set up around Jozenji Street. When do "Autumn Festivals" begin and end? According to the calendar, the beginning of autumn, one of the 24 solar terms, falls from August 7th to the day before the beginning of winter on November 7th. If we apply this to the Tohoku region, it falls from August...

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Fukushima Prefecture's nationally known festivals include the Fukushima Waraji Festival in Fukushima City and the Uneme Festival in Koriyama City, both of which are summer festivals held in early August. In this article, we'll introduce three highly recommended autumn festivals from the upcoming Fukushima Prefecture. When do "autumn festivals" begin and end? Tanagura Autumn Festival. Source: Tohoku Tourism and Travel Information Site. In the Tohoku calendar, the 24 solar terms of "Risshu" (the beginning of autumn) begin on August 7th and the day before "Ritto" (the beginning of winter) on November 7th. Applying this to the Tohoku region, autumn begins with the end of summer festivals held across the country in early August. This article...

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DaiwaConsilio

I'm a former Edoite (Tokyoite) who loves Morioka and the six prefectures of Tohoku, and I'm a big fan of history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and choral singing.
I'll introduce you to interesting things, delicious food, and great places in Tohoku!