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Summer in Japan means countless \u201cmatsuri\u201d festivals, such as \u201cmikoshi\u201d parades, \u201cBon Odori\u201d dances and \u201cHanabi\u201d fireworks. While summer events are held throughout the country, especially during the Obon period from Aug. 13-15, the three traditional festivals in Aomori, Akita and Sendai in the Tohoku region (northern part of honsyu mainland), are particularly famous for their large scale and unique traditions. <\/p>\n
Get into the summer spirit and head north for one or all of these great upcoming festivals! <\/p>\n
Aomori Nebuta Matsuri<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t (Photo Courtesy of Aomori Sightseeing Association)
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One of Japan\u2019s biggest summer festivals is in Aomori on Aug. 2-7. The matsuri features more than 20 large lantern floats depicting human figures parading through the city center streets. Mainly modeled after historical kabuki characters, the colorful papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 and wooden lantern floats are painted beautifully and lit up from inside creating a fanstastic sight. The 6-day festival wraps up with six barges of nebuta sailing slowly on the dark sea surface off the Mutsu Gulf, while 10,000 fireworks explode in the sky. <\/p>\n
Akita Kanto Matsuri<\/p>\n
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Akita holds its annual Kanto Matsuri, or pole lantern festival, Aug. 3-6 as a Tanabata-related celebration. During the festival, visitors can enjoy amazing view of hundreds of locals skillfully holding 15- to 50-foot-long bamboo poles bearing 24 to 46 lanterns (with real candles) in hopes of a good harvest season. Watch as the performers employ various techniques to balance these poles, including using their hands, foreheads, shoulders and hips. The parade also has cheerful drums, flutes and chanting \u201cdokkoisho\u201d throughout.<\/p>\n
Video courtesy of Luis Samayoa\/Stripes Japan<\/p>\n
Location: Kanto Street in Akita City, Akita Prefecture <\/p>\n
Period: Aug. 3 – 6 <\/p>\n