If you only know one thing about Aomori, it’s probably the fact that it’s the snowiest city in Japan. Well, in the world if we’re being technical, but this blog is about Japan.
I’ve spent time in Aomori prefecture in winter, to be sure. And while it’s a special experience, it’s nothing compared to the spectacle that takes place in Aomori during the hottest part of summer. One I was lucky enough, after years of waiting, to attend last summer.
I’ve speaking, of course, about the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri festival, which might just be the most impressive summer matsuri in all of Japan. But let’s miss the drama and declarations—this post is about details.
How I Came to Know About the Nebuta
As has been the case for many local matsuri in Japan, I learned of the Aomori summer festival during my first trip to the city, on a routine stroll through a city museum. As had been the case in Akita and Tokushima, seeing the floats displayed made me want to come back and watch them in action. This was especially acute in Aomori, however, given how imposing the display of nebuta is within the Wa-Rasse Hall.
This was in late 2017. In hindsight, I should’ve come back the following August and seen the festival then. Instead I twiddled my thumbs, until Japan shut itself off to the world for nearly three years in response to covid-19. The great news is that the six-year wait—I attended in 2023—was more than worth it. No matter how long you’ve been waiting, I think you’ll end up agreeing.
Tips for Enjoying the Aomori Festival
Start searching for hotels ASAP
The good news? It’s unlikely that you’ll even be able to book Aomori hotels a year in advance, as some locals recommend, even if you want to. The bad news? If you haven’t secured a room by about six months out (when most open for reservations), it’s unlikely that you’ll end up being able to get one at all.
Explore the town before the festivities begin
Aomori is a charming city, even if you disregard the presence of the Aomori Nebuta festival. This is true whether you eat kaisendon featuring local hotate (scallops) at the Aomori Gyosai Center, or enjoy views of the Aomori Bay Bridge from the waterfront just behind the ASPAM Building, aka the “Pyramid.”
Plan on eating early
Although you will find some food stalls set up along the festival route, it’s unlikely that you will want to divert your attention away from the colorful Nebuta floating by. Rather, I recommend eating earlier, be that an authentic local hotate restaurant, or something more generic like kaitenzushi or yakitori.
(And finding your spot early)
The Aomori parade heads southward from the aforementioned ASPAM Building; looking back toward the building, I find that the left side of the street offers slightly better views. Apart from this, however, I suggest simply finding any place along this street that offers relatively obstructed shots of the Nebuta.
Walk along the parade route as far as you can
Part of the excitement of watching the parade, which also includes dancers and taiko drums, is moving along with them as they shout “Wa-Rasse!” The entire route extends for several miles, turning eastward after a few blocks and then continuing that way for dozens more. Enjoy the start of festivities, then walk along the parade route.
When is the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri in 2025? What About 2026?
In 2025 as in every other year, Aomori Nebuta Matsuri will take place between August 2-7. This is good for several reasons, first and foremost because so many other Tohoku matsuri occur during this time. Having flexibility about when you have to be in Aomori also gives you the opportunity to be more free about when you attend festivals in Akita, Sendai, Hachinohe and Goshogawara, if you choose to do so.
Another benefit of Aomori Nebuta festival taking place over six days? You have five chances to find a hotel room, again depending upon how flexible you are. This makes it almost certainly that you’ll be able to get a room at some point, and let me tell you: Having a hotel within Aomori’s city limits—i.e. not having to take a train somewhere else—really makes the matsuri experience more enjoyable.
Other FAQ About Aomori Nebuta Matsuri
Why is Aomori Nebuta Matsuri celebrated?
As you’ll learn if you visit the Wa-Rasse Hall in Aomori City, historians have a somewhat fuzzy idea of why the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri came to be celebrated. Well, apart from the fact that it relates tangentially to the Tanabata Festival (the Japan-wide one, not the one in Sendai) that takes place around the same time.
How long is Nebuta Matsuri?
The Aomori Nebuta Festival takes place over the course of six nights in early August. Each night, the core part of the festival begins at sunset and lasts for as long as it takes for the parade to snake through town, usually for around 3-4 hours. Afterparties may continue well into the night, however.
How do I get to Nebuta Matsuri?
Aomori Nebuta Matsuri starts just a short walk from JR Aomori Station, with the few blocks of Hakko-dori just south of the ASPAM “Pyramid” the base place to set yourself up while you’re waiting for it to begin. Note that if you’re coming up on the Shinkansen, you will need to ride the Ou Line from Shin-Aomori to Aomori.
The Bottom Line
The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri is a pain to attend, but I promise you: It’s worth it! The festival transforms Aomori, Japan’s—and the world’s—snowiest city into a giant party during the hottest part of summer, and constitutes one of the most impressive visual spectacles I’ve ever seen, in over a decade of traveling in Japan. I especially enjoying seeing the nebuta float through the streets of Aomori given that I went to the festival in conjunction with another in nearby Akita. Of course, if you can’t pull this off, it’s no big. Regardless, I do hope you’ll enlist my help in planning your summer trip to Japan.
