Highlights
- Towering papier-mache warrior lanterns
- 'Haneto' dancers chanting 'Rassera!'
- A final-night float parade on barges with fireworks
Background & story
One of Tohoku's three great summer festivals, Nebuta's exact origins are debated but tie to Tanabata lantern-floating customs.
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Walk from JR Aomori Stn 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, groups of friends
Good to know
Anyone wearing the proper 'haneto' costume can join the dancers — outfits are rented and sold around the city.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri in 2027?
- Not announced yet, as of 11 September 2026. Aomori City's official page does state that the festival is held 2-7 August every year, so 2027 would fall on 2-7 August. That is a rule the city publishes, not a committee announcement.
- What is the usual schedule?
- An eve festival on 1 August at Aoiumi Park (17:00-21:00 planned), children's and large nebuta from 19:00 on 2-3 August, large nebuta from 18:45 on 4-6 August with prizes announced on the 6th, and on 7 August a daytime parade from 13:00 followed by fireworks and the sea parade around 19:15-21:00 (source: the official schedule page).
- Do I need a ticket?
- No - watching from the roadside is free. Paid reserved seats exist for the prime stretch: at the 2026 edition they were 4,000 yen for 2-6 August and the 7 August daytime run, and 9,500 yen for the daytime-plus-fireworks set. No 2027 sale has been announced as of 11 September 2026.
Getting there
Central Aomori City, Tohoku — Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture