Tohoku Summer Festival

Summer isn't just about the six great festivals! Five spectacular summer festivals from all over the Tohoku region!

There are still many summer festivals in Tohoku that are as impressive as the six great festivals! A festival filled with unique charms from the region will add even more heat to the summer of Tohoku!


Hachinohe Sansha Festival (Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture)

A fusion of gorgeous float procession and rituals

The Hachinohe Sansha Grand Festival, which boasts a history of approximately 300 years, is a festival that combines rituals held at the three shrines, Silla Shrine, Shinmei Shrine, and Chojasan Silla Shrine, with a luxurious float procession. The float, which is 10 meters tall, also incorporates mechanisms and movements, captivating audiences day and night.

Hachinohe Sansha Festival <Information>

  • Dates : Thursday, July 31st to Monday, August 4th, 2025
  • Venue : Central Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture (Honhachinohe Station - Sansha Taisai Square)
  • detail
    • Morning/Afternoon: A gorgeous float cruise
    • Night: Co-starring with the shrine's mikoshi, lighted up with lanterns decorated on floats and LED lights
  • Traffic restrictions : There are traffic restrictions in the city center during the festival
  • Viewing seats : ticket-based area available (crowded due to floats at night)
  • In the event of rain : Some events will be held even if the rain is light. Float cruises may be cancelled or postponed
  • Live streaming : Hachinohe Topics in 2024 will be available for live streaming on Hachinohe Cable Television
  • Official website : VISIT HACHINOHE – 2025 Hachinohe Sansha Festival Event Schedule

Hirosaki Neputa Festival (Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture)

A fantastic view that drastically decorates the night sky

Hirosaki Neputa, known as a side-by-side with Aomori's Nebuta, is paraded around the city with lanterns painted with heroic fan-shaped warriors. Although it is a slightly more subdued atmosphere than the Aomori Nebuta, it is a festival with its tasty drums and shouts that are somewhat melancholy.

Hirosaki Neputa Festival <Information>

  • Dates : Friday, August 1st - Thursday, August 7th, 2025
  • Venue : Around Hirosaki Park and the city center
  • detail
    • Daytime: Children's Neputa Parade (afternoon to evening)
    • Night: Honneputa, Oneputa, Hayashi performance
  • Traffic restrictions : Vehicle traffic restrictions are in the area of ​​central city and parks
  • Viewing seats : Paid bleachers (morning) / Free street viewing area
  • In rain : Light rain. It may be cancelled in bad weather (announced on official social media)
  • Live streaming Live streaming will be available on FM Apple Wave Video Channel Apple Stream in 2024
  • Official website : Hirosaki Neputa Festival | Hirosaki City Tourist Information Site Come and check it out

Noshiro Tanabata "Night Castle in the Sky" (Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture)

Tanabata lantern boasts the highest height in Japan

As the name suggests, "Night Castle in the Sky" suggests, a huge Tanabata lantern that is over 20 meters above the ground rises in the night sky. This festival, which revived the historic Noshiro Tanabata event in modern times, captivated the audience with its fantastic lighting and heavy float production. The view truly deserves the name "Night Castle."

Noshiro Tanabata "Night Castle in the Sky" <Information>

  • Dates : Early August 2025 (usually August 2nd to 4th)
  • Venue : Central city, Noshiro city, Akita prefecture (North exit of Noshiro Station - Nakamachi Street)
  • detail
    • Giant lantern "Night Castle in the Sky" exhibited and lit (night to late night)
    • Lighting up with bamboo lights and music events held simultaneously
  • Traffic restrictions : Main street is in pedestrian paradise (scheduled 7pm-22pm)
  • Viewing seats : Free viewing in all areas/Some paid viewing spaces are available
  • In the event of rain : Outdoor lighting and food stalls have been cancelled in the event of rain. All-weather displays are available
  • Live streaming : None
  • Official website : Noshiro Tanabata "Night Castle in the Sky" Official website

Goshogawara Tachibuta (Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture)

The 23-meter-high "giant moving doll" parades through the parade!

Tachineputa, located in Goshogawara, is one of the three great Nebutas of Aomori, and is characterized by a huge puppet lantern that is over 20 meters tall. The colorful lights and brave music give off an overwhelming presence in the city at night.

Goshogawara Tachigo Taketa <Information>

  • Dates : Tuesday, August 4th - Saturday, August 8th, 2025
  • Venue : Center of Goshogawara City (around Goshogawara Station - in front of Tachiobuta's building)
  • detail
    • Night: A powerful parade with a huge standing 18-23m tall
  • Traffic restrictions : Station-Chuo Street is a pedestrian paradise (17:00-22:00)
  • Balance seats : paid bleach seats (import is important nearby), and free street areas are also available
  • In the event of rain : Light rain (must-have rain gear) / Cancellation may occur in the event of severe weather
  • Live streaming : 2024 will be streamed on ATV Aomori TV official channel
  • Official website : Goshogawara Tachigotaketa Official website

Koriyama Uneme Festival (Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture)

Elegant flow dance by dancers in yukata

Koriyama's summer festival commemorates the "unome" that originates from legends of the Heian period. In the Uneme Dance Ryushi, which flows through the central city, over 100 groups will walk around the graceful dance in yukata. It's a warm festival with all citizens present.

Koriyama Uneme Festival <Information>

  • Dates : Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 2025 (August 1-3)
  • Venue : Koriyama City Ekimae Odori and other central city areas
  • detail
    • Daytime: Uneme Dance
    • Night: "Light procession" & honoured dance by citizens and groups
  • Traffic restrictions : Night pedestrian paradise on the main street at Ekimae (18:00-21:00)
  • Viewing seats : Free viewing area only (you can freely view from the roadside)
  • In the event of rain : The dance and light lines will run lightly. The weather may be cancelled
  • Live streaming : 2024 [Fukushima Broadcasting Official] will be streamed on
  • Official website : Koriyama Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Koriyama Uneme Festival


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