Topics from Tohoku

  • HOME
  • Home
  • Topics from Tohoku
  • Summer Nebuta festival in an open-air bath surrounded by snow? Aomoriya's winter tradition: "Neburi Nagashi Toro" (Floating Lanterns)
In a snowy landscape, the lights of Nebuta floats and small lanterns are reflected in the pond during the "Neburi Nagashi Lantern Festival" © Hoshino Resorts

Summer Nebuta festival in an open-air bath surrounded by snow? Aomoriya's winter tradition: "Neburi Nagashi Toro" (Floating Lanterns)

At "Aomoriya by Hoshino Resorts" in Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture , the winter event "Neburi Nagashi Toro" will be held from December 3, 2026 to March 6, 2027.

This is a special event for hotel guests where Nebuta floats and small lanterns are floated around the open-air bath, allowing guests to enjoy them while soaking in the hot springs. You can enjoy both the Nebuta, which symbolizes summer in Aomori, and the snowy winter landscape together

Enjoy the snow-viewing open-air bath and Nebuta festival with the "Neburi Nagashi Lantern Festival"

The venue is "Ukiyu," an open-air bath surrounded by a pond. Guests will float small lanterns on the pond, each bearing a wish they have written

A scene of small lanterns floating on the pond © Hoshino Resorts
A scene of small lanterns floating on the pond © Hoshino Resorts

This project, which began in 2011, is now in its 16th year this winter. It was created with the desire to let people enjoy Nebuta even amidst a snowy landscape

In addition to the illuminations, from 10 PM to 11 PM, there will be a performance featuring flute music recorded from the Aomori Nebuta Festival

The connection between the Nebuta Festival and "Neburi Nagashi"

The project name,"Neburi-nagashi,"is derived from a ritual to ward off sleepiness and impurities.

The origins of the Nebuta Festival are unclear, but according to the Japan Tourism Agency, it is believed to have developed from a folk ritual called "Nemuri-nagashi," which was used to ward off sleepiness. In this ritual, fatigue and sleepiness were transferred to leaves and other objects, which were then floated down rivers or into the sea to purify the body and pray for good health

It is explained that this is related to the Tanabata Festival and eventually led to the "Nebuta Nagashi" festival, where lanterns are floated down the river after being used to seal away fatigue and evil spirits

Aomoriya's "Neburi Nagashi Lanterns" project is an event that expresses these traditions using small lanterns and Nebuta floats

link

The "Thunder God" floating on the pond is a work by Hiroo Takenami

A Nebuta float depicting "Raijin" (the god of thunder) floats on the pond surrounding the open-air bath. © Hoshino Resorts
A Nebuta float depicting "Raijin" (the god of thunder) floats on the pond surrounding the open-air bath. © Hoshino Resorts

Appearing in the pond is "Raijin" (Thunder God), created by Nebuta artist Hiroo Takenami . Created to ward off disaster and evil spirits and to pray for further prosperity, it has been featured in this project since 2022

Hiroo Takenami working on the creation of a Nebuta float © Hoshino Resorts
Hiroo Takenami working on the creation of a Nebuta float © Hoshino Resorts

Mr. Takenami is from Kizukuri Town, Aomori Prefecture (now Tsugaru City). He was selected as the 7th Nebuta Master in 2023. His exhibits, which are set by the water and have a different feel from his Nebuta Festival works, are also worth checking out

You can also enjoy the "Nebuta Snow Lanterns" while strolling through the park

"Nebuta Snow Lanterns" lined up in a snow-covered park © Hoshino Resorts
"Nebuta Snow Lanterns" lined up in a snow-covered park © Hoshino Resorts

The park on the premises will also host a related event,"Nebuta Snow Lanterns." Visitors can admire up close six Nebuta floats that combine elements related to the Chinese zodiac and Aomori Prefecture. The floats were created by the Takenami Hiroo Nebuta Research Institute.

Nebuta Snow Lanterns<Information>

  • Event period: December 3, 2026 - March 7, 2027
  • Venue: Park on the Aomoriya premises
  • Hours: All day (light-up from 4 PM to 11 PM)

"Neburi Nagashi Toro" Event Overview

The "Neburi Nagashi Lantern Festival" is an event exclusively for guests staying at Aomoriya. Since the bathing hours and the illumination times differ, please check the following times if you wish to enjoy the Nebuta lights

A spectacular open-air bath with snow views and "Neburi Nagashi Lanterns"<Information>

  • Event period: December 3, 2026 - March 6, 2027
  • Venue: Aomoriya Open-Air Bath "Ukiyu"
  • Target: Hotel guests
  • Hours: 5:00 AM - 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM - 12:00 AM
  • Light-up: 5 PM - 12 AM
  • Flute music performance: 10 PM - 11 PM
  • Hot spring source: Komaki Onsen
  • Spring quality: alkaline simple hot spring
  • Note: The event may be canceled due to weather conditions

Aomoriya by Hoshino Resorts<Information>

  • Address: 56 Furamakiyama, Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture
  • Access: Approximately 15 minutes on foot from Misawa Station on the Aoimori Railway, or approximately 20 minutes by car from Misawa Airport
  • Phone: 050-3134-8094 (Hoshino Resorts Reservation Center)
  • Official website:Aomoriya by Hoshino Resorts

Google Map

Please support NEFT's article creation!

NEFT gathers and publishes articles about the history, culture, and tourism information of various regions in Tohoku

If you enjoyed this article, we would be grateful if you would consider supporting our future interviews, article creation, and website management

*Clicking "Tip" will open the tip sending screen for the external service "codoc"

Other articles