When we think of Obon, many people imagine people lighting mukaebi (fires to welcome the dead) and quietly welcoming their ancestors. However, in the Shimokita region of Aomori, Obon is celebrated with a unique custom. "We don't do that here...".
Aomori Prefecture is divided into three regions: Tsugaru, Shimokita, and Nanbu. Of these, the Nanbu region has long been bustling with people and goods traveling between the port and mountain villages, and the cultures of Iwate and Shimokita have naturally intermingled...
Minamiaizu Town is located in the southwest of Fukushima Prefecture, a little south of Tochigi Prefecture. This area, also known as "Oku-Aizu," is home to the annual Gion Festival, one of Japan's three major festivals.
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Minamiaizu Town is located in the southwest of Fukushima Prefecture, a little south of Tochigi Prefecture. This area, also known as "Oku-Aizu," is home to the annual Gion Festival, one of Japan's three major festivals.
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Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture, is located in the northeastern part of Akita Prefecture and was once the home of the towns of Hanawa, Osarizawa, Towada, and Hachimantai.
Tohoku has many more spectacular summer festivals that rival the six major festivals! Festivals packed with the charm of each region will make the Tohoku summer even more exciting! Hachinohe Sansha Festival (Aomori Prefecture)...
Summer in Tohoku is all about festivals! Here's a roundup of the 2025 dates for the "Six Major Tohoku Festivals," major events that bring local traditions to life and are enjoyed by both locals and tourists.
Every June, a festival that can be considered a symbol of early summer in Iwate Prefecture is held in Takizawa City and Morioka City. The name of this festival, sometimes called "Japan's cutest festival" in some areas, is "Ch...
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"A tiger on a roof?" This surprising sight can be seen at the Hatsuuma Festival, held every year on April 29th in Kami Town, Kami District, Miyagi Prefecture. The main attraction is a tiger dressed in yellow and black stripes, and...
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What is the Hyakushika Daigunbu? The Hyakushika Daigunbu is a major performance of the Shishiodori (deer dance), a folk performing art passed down mainly in the areas of the Date and Nanbu domains during the feudal era. It was first performed in 1985...
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