• Home
  • Car Comparison
  • Japan Auto News
  • Import Regulations
  • Avoid Fraud & Scams
  • New Vehicle Launch
  • Video Gallery
Facebook Twitter Instagram
  • Japan Used Cars for Sale
  • Japan Cars FAQ
  • Japan Cars Catalog
  • About JCT
  • Inquiry
  • Contact Us
Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest Tumblr
JapaneseCarTrade.com
Banner
  • Home
  • Car Comparison
  • Japan Auto News
  • Import Regulation
  • Avoid Fraud & Scams
  • New Vehicle Launch
  • Japan Used Cars for Sale
JapaneseCarTrade.com
Home » Japan Used Cars Blog » Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Japan
Japan Festivals

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Japan

By JCT TeamSeptember 13, 2021Updated:December 27, 2021No Comments4 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri (“Aomori Nebuta Festival” or simply “Aomori Nebuta”) is a Japanese summer festival that takes place in Aomori, Aomori Prefecture, Japan in early August. The festival attracts the most tourists of any of the country’s nebuta festivals. And is counted among the three largest festivals in the Tohoku region.

Celebration Date

2nd to 7th August.

Other Name

—–

Holiday Type

Not National Holiday

It was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1980. And as one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan by the Ministry of the Environment in 1996.

The highlight of the festival is the daily parade of enormous lantern floats. Flanked by large taiko drums, musicians and dancers. The Nebuta Matsuri together with Akita’s Kanto Matsuri and Sendai’s Tanabata make up theTohoku Sandai Matsuri.

History of Aomori Nebuta Matsuri

The most widely known explanation is that the festival originated from the flutes and taiko future shōgun Sakanoue no Tamuramaro used to attract the attention of the enemy during a battle in Mutsu Province. The Tamuramaro Sho (Tamuramaro Prize) was created around this explanation in 1962 to be awarded to the festival’s best group participant (later renamed to the Nebuta Taisho). However, it is unlikely that Tamuramaro actually conducted military expeditions in what is currently Aomori Prefecture. So this explanation is considered to be a legend.

The festival most likely evolved out of traditional Shinto ceremonies like Tanabata. Another explanation involves the etymology of the word Nebuta. Aterui, a general from the Tōhoku region, united the Emishi people who had been chased out of their native territory and defeated Ki no Kosami’s army of 50,000 at Kitakami River to advance all the way to Fuji, Shizuoka. This army battled Sakanoue no Tamuramaro’s forces for over 12 years, but was ultimately defeated. Aterui was captured and taken to Osaka Prefecture, where he was granted an audience with the ruler before being beheaded. Aterui’s severed head was shown off to the public, and his family and followers still remaining in the Tohoku region were forced to dig large holes where they were buried alive.

Dirt was thrown over these graves, and those who surrendered to the Japanese forces and became slaves were instructed to stomp over the dirt. This event is said to be the origin of Nebuta (written in kanji), as Aterui’s followers were sent back to their roots or to the world of the dead with the dirt as a covering. According to this episode, the dancers stomp the ground while carrying the float of Sakanoue no Tamuramaro on their shoulders.

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri Celebrations

Nebuta and Neputa are a type of Tanabata related summer festival held in towns around Aomori Prefecture. The largest of these festivals is the Nebuta Matsuri of Aomori City, held every year from August 2 to 7. Every night of the festival the floats are wheeled out onto the streets of downtown Aomori for a parade, except on the last day (August 7). When the parade is held in the afternoon. The floats are pushed along the street by human power, weaving back and forth, and spinning around for the crowd. Each float is accompanied by teams of taiko drummers. Flute and hand cymbals players, as well as hundreds of dancers. It also called haneto in the local dialect, who follow the procession chanting “Rassera, Rassera” while performing a dance that looks a little bit like skipping.

On the first two nights of the festival the parades are somewhat smaller with only about two thirds of the lantern floats participating. However on the nights from August 4th to 6th the parades are in full swing and every float makes an appearance. All the floats are also displayed in the afternoon parade on the last day of the festival. Before some of the floats are put onto boats and paraded around the bay in the evening. Finally, a two hour fireworks display along the waterfront closes off the festivities.

How to get there

The Nebuta Matsuri parade route is a three kilometer loop around central Aomori and is a five minute walk from JR Aomori Station. Rassera Land, where the floats are stabled. It is located next to the ASPM building along the waterfront, a ten minute walk from JR Aomori Station.

Japanese Used Cars
Japan Car Exporters
Send Inquiry
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleAntigua and Barbuda used car market
Next Article Apollo Automobile
JCT Team

    Related Posts

    Japan Holidays & Festivals

    October 23, 2021

    Holidays in Japan

    October 22, 2021

    Truckfest Festival

    September 30, 2021

    Comments are closed.

    Categories
    • Auto Shows & Events
    • Auto Wiki
    • Automobile Manufacturers
    • Avoid Fraud
    • Car Comparison
    • Car Discuss
    • Car Maintenance Tips
    • CFS
    • Chamber of Commerce
    • Documents
    • Driving Tips
    • Electric Vehicle
    • Embassy in Japan
    • FAQs
    • Import Regulations
    • Import used cars
    • Inspection
    • Japan Auto News
    • Japan Festivals
    • Japan Used Buses
    • Japan Used Machinery
    • Japan Used Trucks
    • Japanese Auto Auction
    • JCT Magazines
    • JDM Cars
    • New Japan Car Launch
    • Parts & Accessories
    • Payment
    • Shipping
    • Uncategorized
    • Used Car Market
    • Used Cars Videos
    • Vehicle Problems and Solutions
    • Who is Who
    • Worldwide Association
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Top Picks

    New Honda Accord Crossover Launched with Unique Rotating Dial In Japan

    September 23, 2023

    Toyota Sent off New Century SUV Type in Japan

    September 19, 2023

    Mitsubishi Delica Coleman x Mini Enters Production in Japan From Concept to Reality

    September 12, 2023

    Toyota GR Corolla Japan Including New Cyan Color And Improved Chassis Bolts

    September 1, 2023

    The Mazda CX-90 Could Make A Switching Sound While Proceeding

    August 24, 2023
    Don't Miss

    New Honda Accord Crossover Launched with Unique Rotating Dial In Japan

    By JCT TeamSeptember 23, 2023

    The moderate size car has at long last arrived in its home market where it…

    Toyota Sent off New Century SUV Type in Japan

    September 19, 2023

    日本からケニアに輸入された中古車の税関クリアランスと登録に関するFAQ

    September 16, 2023

    Maswali Yanayoulizwa Mara kwa Mara kuhusu Kibali cha Forodha na Usajili wa Magari Yaliyoagizwa kutoka Japani kwenda Kenya

    September 16, 2023
    Reviews
    • Kenneth Mbarathi on Nagoya Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NCCI)
    • Marie Claire on What is a Brake Booster?
    • JCT Team on What is a Targa Top?
    • Jungle Jane's - Michael Gates on Komatsu Machinery from Japan: An Overview
    • Olivia Smart on How to manage uneven tire wear?
    Banner
    About
    JapaneseCartrade.com
    JapaneseCartrade.com(JCT) the most trusted & free Japan used vehicle portal that connects overseas buyers to Japan used vehicle exporters since 2005.
    Recent Posts

    2023年8月、日本からの中古車輸出 – トップ20の国へ

    September 28, 2023

    Japan Used Car Exports to Top 20 Countries in August 2023

    September 28, 2023
    Associated With
    • JUMVEA
    • Safe Trade
    • Slaaj
    • Slbcj
    Download Our App
    • App Download
    • App Download
    Copyright © 2021-22. Powered by JapaneseCarTrade.com

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.