Akita is a corner of Japan that’s impressed me since my first trip there almost six years ago. Back then, in the dead of winter, I took an unassuming winter sojourn to Kakunodate Samurai district—I was hooked; the rest is history.
Only it wasn’t. Over the years, I’ve returned to a number of places in Akita for various reasons. Notably, the prefecture was one of the three places I based myself on my first trip to Japan following the end of Japan’s covid-related travel restrictions.
So believe me when I say this: If there’s just one reason you come here, let it be the spectacular Akita Kanto Matsuri, which takes place every year in early August.
Why I Became Obsessed With Attending Akita’s Summer Festival
I first learned of the Akita Kanto matsuri festival one evening in September 2022, while at the city’s surprisingly small history museum. Seeing the massive kanto float elevated above the room made me excited about the prospect of coming back for the festival, though the details I found when I did more research disappointed me: I’d been just six weeks late for 2022’s festival.
My research also led me to the conclusion that hotels would be extremely difficult to get, so I started planning my 2023 trip almost immediately. It was hopeless in the beginning—I ended up making dummy bookings for properties far out of town—but I eventually got a room in central Akita (and in nearby Aomori, for the festival there) and…well, the rest is history.
How to Make the Most of Akita Kanto Matsuri
Book your hotel way in advance
To hear locals tell it, hotels for Akita Kanto Matsuri book out a year in advance. In practice, however, I find that rooms don’t reliably begin appearing until about six months out (so, early February), though they disappear after that. My advice is not to be too picky about where you stay. Sure, be picky in terms of the room—do not stay in a “Smoking Room” if you aren’t a smoker, but any hotel in central Akita is a “good” hotel, for this purpose.
Arrive as early as possible
Whether you see the Akita festival on a day trip or do manage to snag a room, there’s merit in getting to the city a bit before sunset, which is when festivities begin in earnest. First of all, because there are mini-performances and kanto demonstrations that take place during daylight hours. But secondly, because you’ll want to take some time to relax before night falls and the adrenaline kicks in.
Sightsee if you haven’t already
Of course, “relaxing” doesn’t have to mean lazing, although it’s totally fine if you choose to laze. However, if you’ve never been to Akita, I do suggest doing some sightseeing while you’re in town before the parade. This could be something as simple as visiting the Kubota Castle Ruins, or the Lotus Pond in front of them, or taking a road trip onto the Oga Peninsula if you happen to have a car.
Find a good starting spot
Not surprisingly, the parade for the Akita summer festival takes place along Kanto-dori, about 20 minutes by foot west of Akita Station. Anywhere along this road is fine to stand—every float of the parade passes by every block—so find somewhere that isn’t too crowded, and where you can get a place with an unobstructed view, if at all possible.
But don’t be afraid to explore
Some travelers (especially those who purchase “VIP” tickets) might be excited about the prospect of being able to watch the Akita Festival from one vantage point. On the other hand, there’s merit to walking around as it happens, particularly if you want to quench your thirst or satiate your hunger at street food stalls set up in the vicinity of the festival area.
When is the 2025 Akita Kanto Matsuri? What About 2026?
As is the case in every year, Akita’s Kanto Matsuri will take place between August 3-6, 2025. The good news about this is that if you can’t get a hotel one night, you have three other chances. Additionally, if you plan to attend other matsuri that occur around the same time, such as the ones in Aomori, Hachinohe and Goshogawara, this allows you not to have to pick and choose.
Planning to attend the Akita Kanto festival in 2026? The dates are the same: August 3-6. However, as you can imagine, hotel bookings open up only a year in advance at most (and are usually best to book at around six months out). So if you’re planning on attending the 2026 edition the Akita Kanto Matsuri and you’re reading this in late 2024 or early 2025, chill. You have at least six months before you need to start moving!
Other FAQ About Attending the Akita Kanto Matsuri
What is the meaning of the Akita Kanto festival?
Dating back to the 17th century, the Akita Kanto Matsuri has a relatively simple motivation: To pray for a good harvest. This makes sense, of course, since Akita is such an agriculturally productive part of Japan. These days, of course, the meaning of the festival has far less to drop with crops, and more to do with the prefecture’s image and tourism stats.
What is Akita, Japan known for?
Akita is known for the annual Akita Kanto Matsuri festival, for the mythical Namahage creatures that Japanese children believe live in its forests and for being the origin of two of Japan’s best-known dogs: The Akita (shocker!) and the Shiba Inu. Ironically, Akita is also known for being a relatively unknown part of Japan, though I’m of course doing my best to change that.
When is the best time to visit Akita?
Akita has four very well-defined seasons, and is beautiful during all of them. However, I think it’s worth coming to Akita in early August for the annual Kanto Matsuri Festival, if you can. In addition to the floats and parades, there’s a nice lotus pond in front of the Kubota Castle Ruins that will be blooming at this time.
The Bottom Line
The Akita Kanto Matsuri is one of the most spectacular celebrations not only in Akita prefecture, but in the whole of Japan. It transforms a city whose location most people aren’t able to locate on a map into one they can’t forget. Whether because of the massive kanto floats that seems to fly through the air during the nightly parade, or the busy food trucks and festive mood that sweep through the city as a whole, it’s a spectacle that deserves being known among the best festivals in Japan. Want to attend Akita’s annual matsuri, but don’t know where to begin? Hire me to plan your trip!
