Neputa festivals aren't just in Hirosaki! We'll introduce the differences and attractions of Kuroishi, Hirakawa, and other cities!

While many people associate Neputa festivals with Hirosaki, Kuroishi and Hirakawa also boast their own unique and distinctive Neputa festivals. This article introduces the differences, charms, and timing of the Hirosaki, Kuroishi, and Hirakawa Neputa festivals. This summer, why not find the perfect Neputa festival for you and head out to experience it?

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When you think of Neputa, think of Hirosaki! Its charm lies in the majestic atmosphere created by the interplay of power and emotion!

Hirosaki Neputa is one of Aomori's most representative summer festivals. Here, we introduce the unique highlights of Hirosaki Neputa, recommended viewing spots, and the dates of the festival

Hirosaki Neputa is known for its magnificent fan-shaped floats and the beautiful farewell paintings

The highlights of the Hirosaki Neputa Festival are the magnificent fan-shaped floats adorned with warrior paintings and the decorative paintings on their reverse sides. The front features powerful warrior images, while the back depicts beautiful women or scenes from stories, allowing you to enjoy two different atmospheres on a single float. As the powerful shouts of "Ya-ya-do" and the accompanying music resound, the sight of the floats parading through the streets is truly a summer tradition in Hirosaki. Every year, I used to look forward to seeing what kind of painting would be on the reverse side of the float

Which route will you choose? How to enjoy the Dotemachi course and the Ekimae course

The parade route for the Hirosaki Neputa Festival varies depending on the day

The Dotemachi course, which runs from August 1st to 4th, allows you to enjoy the Neputa floats with Hirosaki Park and Mount Iwaki as a backdrop. The sight of all the Neputa floats lined up in front of Hirosaki Park, where they gather, is breathtaking! It's still light when the parade starts at 7 PM, but as the sun sets, the fantastical lights of the Neputa floats illuminate the surroundings

If you're looking to see the Hirosaki Neputa Festival, I recommend the Dotemachi course, but it's a bit of a distance from Hirosaki Station and parking is limited. For first-time visitors or tourists, the Ekimae course (Station Front Course) is closer to the station and has wider roads. You can easily see all the floats and enjoy a relaxed viewing experience

When is the Hirosaki Neputa Festival held? Check the schedule

The Hirosaki Neputa Festivalheld annually from August 1st to August 7th. Neputa floats are paraded every day during the festival, but it is important to note that the locations and times of the parades differ. From the 1st to the 4th, the parade runs along the Dotemachi course, on the 5th and 6th it runs along the station square course, and on the 7th it runs along the station square course from the morning, concluding with the "Nanukabi Okuri" ceremony held on the banks of the Iwaki River.

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The Kuroishi Neputa Festival is incredibly exciting! Let's all get together and enjoy the festivities!

While Kuroishi also features fan-shaped neputa floats similar to those in Hirosaki, the atmosphere of the festival is vastly different. The charm of Kuroishi Neputa lies in the way the entire venue becomes one, with spectators participating by shouting along and even doll-shaped neputa floats making an appearance

Colorful Neputa floats and the shouts of "Yare yare ya" echo through the air

Compared to the Neputa festivals of Hirosaki and Hirakawa, the Kuroishi Neputa festival feels more colorful and vibrant. During the procession, the shouts of "Yare Yare Ya" echo through the air, and spectators along the route join in, adding to the festive atmosphere

When I saw it for the first time, I wasn't just watching; I was naturally chanting along, and the atmosphere of the entire venue becoming one left a very strong impression on me

Kuroishi is the only place where doll-shaped neputa floats and fan-shaped neputa floats are paraded together

One of the biggest highlights of the Kuroishi Neputa Festival is that both human-shaped floats and fan-shaped floats are paraded through the streets. While both can be seen in other regions, in Kuroishi, the three-dimensional and impressive human-shaped floats and the brightly colored fan-shaped floats appear one after another, allowing you to enjoy the charm of each at once. The spectacle created by the floats with their different expressions is a sight unique to Kuroishi

When is the Kuroishi Neputa Festival held? Check the schedule

The Kuroishi Neputa Festivalannually from July 30th to August 5th. The joint parade of approximately 30 Neputa floats takes place only on two days: the joint judging parade on July 30th and the joint awards parade on August 2nd. On all other days, the floats parade within their respective neighborhoods, and the festival concludes with an early morning parade on the final day, August 5th.

If you want to enjoy the impressive Nebuta floats all at once, it's recommended to visit on a day when they are paraded together

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The Hirakawa Neputa Festival is breathtaking in its scale! The world's largest fan-shaped Neputa float is a must-see!

Although the Hirakawa Neputa Festival only takes place over two days, it offers unique attractions not found in other regions. The world's largest fan-shaped Neputa float, which concludes the festival, is captivating not only for its size but also for the beauty of its ink paintings

Standing approximately 12 meters tall! The world's largest fan-shaped Nebuta float to conclude the event

The biggest highlight of the Hirakawa Neputa Festival is the "world's largest fan-shaped neputa," boasting a height of approximately 12 meters and a width of approximately 9.2 meters. As it brings the festival to a close, cheers erupt from the crowds along the route as it comes into view. When viewed up close, its size is even greater than imagined, and it exudes a unique power that sets it apart from the other neputa floats

The power created by the varying shades of ink! Highlights of the world's largest fan-shaped Nebuta float

The world's largest fan-shaped Neputa float is also unique in that it is painted using ink wash painting techniques. Unlike the brightly colored Neputa floats of other regions, the warrior paintings, expressed solely through shades of ink, convey both strength and delicacy. While it's great to admire the details up close, viewing the entire float from a distance will further highlight the powerful impact unique to ink wash painting

When is the Hirakawa Neputa Festival held? Check the schedule

The Hirakawa Neputa Festivalheld annually on August 2nd and 3rd. Parades take place at night on both days, culminating in the world's largest fan-shaped neputa float. Because the festival is short, please check the latest dates before visiting.

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summary

The Neputa festivals of Hirosaki, Kuroishi, and Hirakawa are all traditional events that color the summer in Aomori, but each has its own unique charm. If you want to enjoy the power and atmosphere, Hirosaki is recommended; if you want to experience the excitement as the audience becomes one with the group, Kuroishi is the place to go; and if you want to see the world's largest fan-shaped Neputa, Hirakawa is the place to go. The dates of the festivals also coincide nicely, so if you plan your schedules, you can visit multiple Neputa festivals. This summer, why not enjoy Aomori's Neputa festivals while appreciating the unique character of each one?

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