About the festival
Aomori Nebuta Festival brings giant illuminated figures through the streets, accompanied by drums, flutes and haneto dancers. The final day's sea procession takes the spectacle to the harbor.
Who is it for?
Travelers who enjoy large-scale street performances, striking float designs and live festival music.
Photo: Hiart · CC0
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Dates and times
Usually 2–7 August; next edition's details await the organizer's announcement
Usual season; next dates not confirmed. Times use JST. See the official programme for session times and changes.
Venue and parade route
Aomori · 青森
Large floats start at Shinmachi-dori/Yanagimachi-dori and the national-road/Yanagimachi-dori junctions on 2–6 August. The loop uses Shinmachi-dori, Hakko-dori, the national road, Heiwa-koen-dori and Honcho-teramachi-dori. On the 7th, they start from the Shinmachi junction; the sea procession is at Aomori Port.
青森市内運行コース・青い海公園周辺
The map pin marks a reference venue, rather than every entrance or the full parade route.
Getting there by train or bus
- From Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori and a JR Ou Line train to Aomori. The downtown route is walkable from the station.
What to see
- Illuminated figure floats
- Haneto dancing
- Harbor procession
History and origins
Its roots combine Tanabata customs and local Tsugaru traditions. Several origin stories survive; a single founding year is not established.
Planning your visit
Our editorial suggestions for planning your trip.
Choose an evening for illuminated floats. To dance with the haneto, check the required costume before joining.
Places to visit nearby
Nebuta Museum WA RASSE
ねぶたの家 ワ・ラッセ
An exhibition of festival floats and the craft behind them, beside Aomori Station.
Look closely at the museum displays before watching moving floats at night; the exhibited floats need not appear in that day's parade.
These stops and the suggested order are editorial recommendations. Check each venue's opening hours and festival-day road closures before travelling.
Aomori Nebuta Festival: common questions
When is Aomori Nebuta Festival?
Usually 2–7 August; next edition's details await the organizer's announcement This is the usual season, rather than a confirmed timetable for the next edition. Times are Japan Standard Time (JST).
Where does Aomori Nebuta Festival take place?
Large floats start at Shinmachi-dori/Yanagimachi-dori and the national-road/Yanagimachi-dori junctions on 2–6 August. The loop uses Shinmachi-dori, Hakko-dori, the national road, Heiwa-koen-dori and Honcho-teramachi-dori. On the 7th, they start from the Shinmachi junction; the sea procession is at Aomori Port.
How do I get to Aomori Nebuta Festival by public transport?
From Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori and a JR Ou Line train to Aomori. The downtown route is walkable from the station.
Can visitors join the haneto dancers?
Visitors can join wearing the prescribed haneto costume. Check the organizer's participation rules and dress requirements first.
Official sources
Sources reviewed: .