Akita Kanto Festival 2026
Performers balance towering bamboo poles strung with dozens of glowing lanterns on their palms, foreheads and shoulders.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/08/03 09:50 – 2026/08/06
- Where
- Kanto Odori (Yamao-dori), central Akita（Omachi, Akita, Akita 010-0921）
- City
- Across Japan
- Getting there
- Approx. 15-min walk from Akita Station (JR Akita Shinkansen)
- Price
- Free
- Organizer
- Akita Kanto Festival Executive Committee
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Approx. 15-min walk from Akita Station (JR Akita Shinkansen) Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, families, date night
Highlights
- Around 300 lantern poles up to 12 m tall raised at once
- Single performers balancing 50 kg poles
- Daytime skill competitions and night illuminations
Background & story
Dating to the 1700s, the festival began as a ritual to drive away summer sickness and pray for a good harvest, with lanterns symbolizing rice ears.
Good to know
After the night show you can get close to performers and try lifting a pole yourself.