[Aomori Prefecture] Introducing the recommended Tohoku Six Prefecture Autumn Festival "Aomori Edition", Aomori's autumn festivals and local gourmet food!

Aomori prefecture's festivals include the Aomori Nebuta Festival , Hirosaki Neputa Festival , Goshogawara Tachinebuta , and even the Hachinohe Sanja Taisai , all held in summer in early August. The festival is famous nationwide.

However, many people are not aware that there is a Bon dance that follows these summer festivals, and an ``autumn festival'' that is held mainly in the Sanhachi 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 is from August 7th, the 24th solar term, to the day before November 7th, which is the 24th solar term, and if we apply this to Tohoku, then summer is held in various places in early August. The end of the festival marks the arrival of autumn.

In this article, according to the calendar, "autumn" starts from August 7th, and the festivals held after that are introduced as "autumn festivals."

What is the definition of festival?

matsuri listed on Wikipedia " the act (ritual) of worshiping the gods, Buddha, and ancestors for the purpose of gratitude, prayer, or solace

music festivals '' and `` harvest festivals, which are different from traditional religious festivals , and events that enjoy music and local flavors are also considered ``matsuri'' in the general sense of the word. I am.

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

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

As many as 3,000 dancers come out and dance around Kuroishi City, which has a population of approximately 30,000 people.It is one of Japan's three major nagashi odori, along with Awa Odori '' and Gifu's `` Gujo Odori.' .

Dancers wearing elaborate yukata and knitted hats with sparrow and rice ear prints perform `` Kuroishi Yosare '', `` Kuroishi Jinku '', `` Kuroishi Jonkara' ', `` Tsugaru Jinku (Dodarebachi)'' and other songs Let's dance along to the song.

About the origin of Yosare Kuroishi

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

There are various theories about the origin of the word ``yosare,'' but the following is the most likely, but none of them are established theories.

When there is a good harvest and there is a good harvest, ``Yoshite'' and ``Nasere'' are used as ``Yoshite'' and ``Maseru'' instead of ``Yoshite'' and ``Yoshite''.

When the harvest is poor and the world is suffering, it is better to say, ``Leave this world as soon as possible.''

Kuroishi Yosare three dances

It is mainly classified into three dances:

• Kumiodori: Several people perform a dance in unison, and each group competes in choreography etc.
• Nagashiodori: Each group dances and parades around a circuit set up around the city.
• Mawari-odori: Dancing in a circle during Nagashi-odori (there are days when it is just Mawari-odori)

After the Nagashi dance, there is something called Odori Hadari

Yosare Kuroishi＜Information＞

• Venue: City center shopping street, Konan Railway/Konan Kuroishi station square, etc.
• Event period: August 15th (Thursday) to August 16th (Friday), 2024 (Reiwa 6)
• 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 , which is made with chewy flat noodles and served with Worcestershire sauce-flavored yakisoba topped with Japanese-style soba soup, has become popular nationwide as Kuroishi's B-class gourmet food.

There are various theories about its origin, but the most popular theory is that it started at a restaurant called " Mimasu " that used to exist in the city, and now there are over 70 restaurants that serve tsuyuyakisoba.

Kuroishi Tsuyu Yakisoba＜Information＞

• Contact: Kuroishi Tsuyuyakisoba Denkai
• Phone number: 0172-52-4316
• URL: Kuroishi City City Hall official website

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

At the annual festival of Tanabu Shrine in Mutsu City, where fresh seafood is delicious, five gorgeous floats are played to the Gion music, reminiscent of Kyoto's Gion Festival, praying for a rich harvest and prosperous business. While walking around.

Highlights include the way the wheels squeak as they change direction while chanting ` Yadekoraseno '' `Ya, Torre, Yamayare, Yamayare'

On the final day, the festival `Five Car Farewell festival, where five floats from Mt. Inari , Mt. Shojo , Mt. Daikoku , Ebisu , Kourohō come together. .

Gorgeous floats reminiscent of the Gion Festival

The decorations and music on the floats change during the day and night.

During the day, it is decorated with dazzling embroidered large mizuhikimaku, komizuhikimaku, farewell curtain, and misu, and at night it is replaced with illuminated picture lanterns called gaku.

The operation of each mountain is managed by a ``gumi'' organized in each town within the city.

Tanabe Festival＜Information＞

• Venue: Around Sanbongi Odori and Kanchogai Dori in the city (including central parking lot)
• Event period: August 18th (Sunday) to August 20th (Tuesday), 2024 (Reiwa 6)　
• Contact: Towada Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Location: 2F Towada Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 4-11 Nishi Nibancho, 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 "MSDF Curry"!

Ominato , Mutsu City , and the curry served as a meal for the members can be enjoyed at restaurants in the city as Mid-DF Curry

In the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, curry is served for dinner every Friday, a tradition that dates back to the former Japanese Navy.The reason for this is to prevent people from losing their sense of the days of the week during long periods of service onboard ships.

The MSDF curry is uniquely designed for each unit (defender) and served at different restaurants, so it's fun to try it out and see the differences.

Ominato Maritime Self-Defense Force Curry＜Information＞

• Contact: Ominato Maritime Self-Defense Force 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 to September 1st)

Hachiman , Inari Shrine , and Shinmei Shrine , and is said to be connected to Kyoto's Gion Festival. Nine luxuriously decorated floats and portable shrines with motifs from myths and legends are paraded through the city.

A gorgeous and magnificent picture scroll will be unfolded. The shouts similar to ``Taiyobushi'' when pulling the floats are a distinctive feature that is not found in other festivals in the area.

During the festival, there are many events such as the Oshu Yosakoi Festival

Dashi floats parade through the hill town

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

Some of the hills have height differences of more than 30 meters, and the Hikiko have to pull with all their might to climb up the slopes.As the audience cheers, the Hikiko work as one to push the big float up the hill. The way it climbs up is spectacular.

Gonohe Festival＜Information＞

• Venue: Downtown Gonohe Town
• Event period: August 30th (Friday) to September 1st (Sunday), 2024 (Reiwa 6)
• Contact: Gonohe Town Tourism Association
• Phone number: 0178-62-7155
• URL: Gonohe Town Tourism Association official website ,
• URL: Gonohe Town official website

What are the “three major meats of Gonoe”?

In Gonohe Town, which is known for its delicious cherry meat a brand of beef called Aomori Kuraishi Beef Aomori Shamorock ,'' which are collectively known as `` Gonohe's three major meats. "is.

In addition to simple yakiniku, you can enjoy the three major meats on a variety of menus at restaurants in the town.

Three major meats for gonohe＜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 to 8th)

This festival was started in 1949 (Showa 24) to coincide with the annual festival of Sanbongi Inari Shrine, which was built in Sanbongihara, which was the base for the reclamation at the end of the Edo period.

In addition to the mikoshi, dazzlingly decorated floats and taiko drums are brought out into the city by the citizens of Towada, and the heroic taiko drums pounded by the beaters, who show off their splendid drumsticks, reverberate throughout the city.

Towada Hayashi created after the war

After the Pacific War, festivals in various parts of the city were organized, and the music was different depending on the area, so the whole festival was never filled with the same music or drums.

Therefore, in 2006 (Heisei 18), a plan was made to create a common musical accompaniment, and the result was the three Towada Hayashi, in which the taiko drum played the leading role.

• Fighting drums: When the floats meet, both sides engage in a heated competition.
• Advance drum: This is the music played while the floats are running.
• Kyu Taiko: This is the music that is played while the floats are taking a break or waiting.

Towada City Autumn Festival <Information>

• Venue: Around Sanbongi Odori and Kanchogai Dori (including central parking lot)
• Event period: September 6th (Friday) to September 8th (Sunday), 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 Yaki” won the B1 Gold Grand Prix!

Towada Barayaki , which is made by placing beef belly and plenty of onions on a griddle and grilling it with a sweet and spicy soy sauce sauce , can be enjoyed at over 80 restaurants in Towada City.

In addition to beef belly, some restaurants also use pork, horse, and sheep belly, and each restaurant is competing with each other to develop their own vegetables and secret sauces.

Towada Barayaki＜Information＞

• Contact: Towada Barayaki Seminar
• Phone number: 0176-25-7758
• URL: Towada Barayaki Seminar official website

summary

In the former Hirosaki domain in the west of Aomori, there are many festivals where floats such as ``Nebuta'' and ``Neputa'' are operated, and in the former Morioka domain in the east, there are many festivals in which floats are operated, such as the Gion Festival in Kyoto. It is characterized by

In addition, ``Nebuta'' and ``Neputa'' are held as Tanabata events in early August, but festivals in which floats are operated, which are common in the eastern part of Japan and Shimokita, are held in autumn to pray for a rich harvest.