The Aomori Nebuta Festival is held every year from August 2 to 7 in Aomori City. It is one of the three major summer festivals of the Tohoku region. During the festival, enormous, brightly illuminated Nebuta floats parade through the streets, accompanied by dancers known as Haneto, who jump energetically and call out “Rassera, Rassera!”
Each year, the large Nebuta floats are newly created, with different designs depicting figures from Japanese history, legends, and Kabuki. This is one of the festival’s attractions, as each summer brings new works to see. The artists, known as Nebutashi, begin planning their designs for the following year soon after the festival ends.
Constructing these elaborate floats requires months of work and the cooperation of many people. Nebuta artists and their assistants are supported by businesses, schools, industry organizations, and municipal offices. Their efforts throughout the year make this remarkable festival possible.
2024 Nebuta Float
Organizing Group: Aomori Citizens’ Nebuta Executive Committee
Title: Kishibojin (Hariti)
Nebuta Artist: Kitamura Asako
Award: 2024 Nebuta Grand Prize
