Nebuta Matsuri
MatsuriTohoku(Aomori)
Annual eventDates
2026-08-02 — 2026-08-07
Venue
Central Aomori City streets
Admission
Free
Crowd Level
Extremely crowdedAomori's spectacular festival with giant illuminated paper floats.
Aomori Nebuta Matsuri is one of Japan's most spectacular summer festivals, featuring enormous illuminated paper floats (nebuta) depicting warriors and mythical figures. The floats, some reaching 5 meters tall and 9 meters wide, are paraded through the city streets at night. Energetic dancers called haneto join the procession, and anyone wearing the traditional costume can participate.
Highlights
Giant illuminated nebuta floats parading through the streets at night; Haneto dancers that anyone can join by wearing the costume; Final day ocean float parade and fireworks on August 7
Access
10-minute walk from JR Aomori Station. The parade route runs along Shinmachi-dori and surrounding streets in central Aomori.
Tips for Visitors
Rent a haneto costume (about 4,000 yen) to dance alongside the floats - no reservation needed for most rental shops. The final day (August 7) features a daytime parade and evening fireworks. Book accommodations months in advance.