Information on the 2025 edition of the "Tohoku Six Great Festivals" that will brighten up the summer of Tohoku!

Summer in Tohoku is definitely a great place to have festivals!

We'll be introducing all the dates for the Tohoku Six Great Festival, a major event that both locals and tourists can enjoy, and will be held in 2025!

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【Fukushima Warajima Festival] Dates: August 1st (Friday) - 3rd (Sunday)

The Fukushima Warajima Festival is a traditional event in Fukushima City where people carry the largest number of Japanese strawberries and parade through the city. The waraji contains the meaning of praying for healthy legs. In recent years, dance events and parades have been added, and while evolving into a modern style, they have valued tradition.

Fukushima Waraji Festival＜Information＞

• Dates: Friday, August 1st - Sunday, August 3rd, 2025
• Venue: National Route 13 (parade), Mt. Nobuo and Haguro Shrine (promise)
• detail:
  • Friday, August 1st, 18:30-21:00: Purification ceremony, Bond Parade, Waraji Odori, Large Waraji Parade
  • Saturday, August 2nd, 18:30-20:00: Tug of War, Waraji Odori, Finale
  • Sunday, August 3rd, 9:30am: Great Waraji votive (Haguro Shrine)
• Access: 15 minutes' walk from JR Fukushima Station. Temporary parking and shuttle buses are scheduled to operate.
• Traffic restrictions: There are traffic restrictions in the city center during the festival hours. For details, please check the official website.
• Viewing seats: Free area available. There are currently no paid bleachers.
• Nearby facilities: Temporary toilets and information centers are planned to be installed in multiple locations.
• What to bring and wear: Prevent heat stroke. It's safe to wear a thin jacket at night.
• event of rain: Light rain. In severe weather, there is a possibility that the event will be cancelled or partially reduced.
• Live streaming: There is a digest video, but there is no streaming information for the live video at this time.
• Official website: https://www.waraji.co.jp

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【Morioka Sansa Dance Date: August 1st (Friday) - 4th (Monday)

Morioka Sansa Dance is based on the legend of demon extermination, and is characterized by light drums and elegant dances. The parade of thousands has been recognized by the Guinness Records as the "world's number one Japanese drum festival."

Morioka Sansa Dance <Information>

• Dates: Friday, August 1st - Monday, August 4th, 2025
• Venue: Chuo-dori, Morioka Castle Ruins Park, Morioka City
• detail:
  • Every day, 18:00-20:45: Traditional, creative, general participation circle dance, etc.
• Access: 15 minutes' walk from JR Morioka Station. There is a patrol shuttle bus.
• Traffic restrictions: Some streets are closed after 6pm on some streets, such as Chuo Street.
• Balance seats: Paid bleach seats available (advances from 2,000 yen). Available for purchase on the official website.
• Nearby facilities: There are many temporary toilets and a food and drink booths around Morioka Castle Ruins Park.
• What to bring/clothing: We recommend wearing jackets as it will be cooler after the evening. Fans are convenient.
• In the event of rain: Continue in the event of rain. Some changes may occur in the event of bad weather.
• Live streaming: Iwate Cable Television 's official YouTube in the past 2025 is undecided.
• Official website: https://sansaodori.jp

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【Aomori Nebuta Festival] Dates: August 2nd (Sat) - 7th (Thurs)

When you think of summer in Aomori, the Nebuta Festival is the place. This is one of the largest festivals in Tohoku, where giant lantern dolls (nebuta) and bouncing dancers "Haneto" parade through the city. The gaming music made from Nebuta, taiko drums, flutes and hand-gestures that shine in the night are worth a visit.

Aomori Nebuta Festival <Information>

• Dates: Saturday, August 2nd to Thursday, August 7th, 2025
• Venue: Aomori city center (National Route 4, Shinmachi Street, etc.)
• detail:
  • Friday, August 1st, from 6:00pm: Eve party (stage event)
  • August 2nd-3: 7pm - Children and large Nebuta operations
  • August 4th-6th: 18:45am Large Nebuta operation
  • August 7th: From 13:00 to lunch, from 7:15 to sea + fireworks festival
• Access: 10 minutes' walk from JR Aomori Station. Temporary bus service is available.
• Traffic restrictions: Large-scale traffic restrictions are being placed on National Route 4 and other areas from 6:00pm to 22:00.
• Balance seats: Paid bleach seats available (advances from 3,000 yen). Reservations required.
• Nearby facilities: Aoikai Park and information centers and temporary toilets are available around Nebuta's Wa Lasse.
• What to bring/clothing: A jacket to prevent night wind. Honey costumes are available for rent.
• event of rain: Light rain. In severe weather, the event may be postponed or canceled.
• Live streaming: Live streaming and archives available on Aomori City's official YouTube
• Official website: https://www.nebuta.jp

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【Akita Kanto Festival] Dates: August 3rd (Sun) - 6th (Wed)

The Akita Kanto Festival began as an event to pray for a great harvest, and the highlight is the skill of balancing the kanto, which weighs over 50 kg, while supporting it with its forehead, shoulders and waist. The lantern swaying in the night sky is fantastic.

Akita Kanto Festival <Information>

• Dates: August 3rd (Sunday) to 6th (Wed) 2025
• Venue: Around Sanno Odori, Akita City
• detail:
  • Every day, 18:35-21:00: Entry → Kanto Masturbation → Commitment Kanto → Leave
• Access: 15 minutes' walk from JR Akita Station. Temporary parking available.
• Traffic restrictions: There are traffic restrictions on Sanno Boulevard from 6:00 to 9:30pm.
• Viewing seats: Paid bleachers available (from 2,500 yen). Sold on the official website.
• Nearby facilities: Temporary toilets, street stalls, and tourist information centers.
• What to bring/clothing: It's comfortable to take out the heat during the day and wear a cover-up at night.
• In the event of rain: Continue in the event of rain. Cancelled in bad weather.
• Live streaming: Has been streamed on CNA Akita Cable TV Check officially just before.
• Official website: https://www.kantou.gr.jp

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【Yamagata Hanagasa Festival] Dates: August 5th (Tue) - 7th (Thurs)

With the shouting "Yassho, makasho!", the "Hanagasa Odori" dances with red flower hats in hand will decorate the city of Yamagata. Among the six great Tohoku festivals, many female dancers are available, and the elegant and gorgeous atmosphere is attractive.

Yamagata Hanagasa Festival <Information>

• Dates: Tuesday, August 5th - Thursday, August 7th, 2025
• Venue: Around Tokamachi to Honmachi Street, Yamagata City
• detail:
  • Daily 18:00-21:45: Hanagasa Dance Parade
• Access: 10 minutes' walk from JR Yamagata Station. Temporary parking available.
• Traffic restrictions: There are traffic restrictions from the evening to the evening on Tokamachi and Honmachi Street.
• Viewing seats: Some seats are available on a fee. Pre-orders are available.
• Nearby facilities: Temporary toilets and rest areas.
• What to bring/dress: Easy to walk in shoes. Take thorough measures against heat stroke.
• In the event of rain: Continue in the event of rain. Cancelled in severe weather such as strong winds.
• Live streaming: Has been streamed online at Yamagata Shimbun Official streaming has not been confirmed. It may be reported on social media.
• Official website: https://www.hanagasa.jp

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【Sendai Tanabata Festival] Dates: August 6th (Wed) - August 8th (Fri)

The Sendai Tanabata Festival is a Tanabata event that has been around since the time of Date Masamune, with bamboo decorations decorated with gorgeous streamers and origami cranes decorating the city. It is known as the only Tanabata Festival in Tohoku, which will be held in August, and attracts tourists from all over the country.

Sendai Tanabata Festival <Information>

• Dates: Wednesday, August 6th - Friday, August 8th, 2025
• Venue: Sendai City Central Shopping Street (Arcade Street, etc.)
• detail:
  • Tuesday, August 5th, 7:15pm: Sendai Tanabata Fireworks Festival (Eve Festival)
  • August 6th - 8th: Luxurious Tanabata decorations display mainly in the shopping district
• Access: A short walk from JR Sendai Station. Directly connected to the arcade street.
• Traffic regulations: Some shopping districts are pedestrian paradise. There are restrictions on the surrounding roads.
• Viewing seats: There are paid seats at the fireworks display (reservations required). Tanabata decorations are free to view.
• Nearby facilities: large commercial facilities, temporary toilets, and many rest areas.
• What to bring and wear: Take measures against the heat. The arcade is relatively cool.
• In rainy weather: Tanabata decorations are mainly indoors and can be displayed even in rainy weather. Fireworks have been cancelled in the stormy weather.
• Live streaming: Fireworks display has been streamed on TBC Tohoku Broadcasting YouTube
• Official website: https://www.sendaitanabata.com

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