2022 JR Nebuta execution project "Shoki" (Nebuta production by Hiroo Takenami)
Let's enjoy Aomori Nebuta again in 2023!
The time for the 2023 Aomori Nebuta Festival is approaching! During the Aomori Nebuta Festival, huge floats called "Nebuta" parade along 3.1 km in the center of Aomori City with drums and musical accompaniment. The giant floats are 9 meters wide, 7 meters deep, and 5 meters high, and are very colorful! Many of the floats are based on historical tales and are very heroic, but they are also illuminated from the inside, making the nighttime procession a fantastic sight.
The 2022 festival was very exciting because it was the first Nebuta Festival in three years, and this year is even more so! For the first time in many years, Haneto will be allowed to participate freely!
This year's Nebuta Festival is not only for viewing, but also for tourists who can participate as haneto on the day of the festival, or visit the Nebuta before the festival begins.
Aomori Nebuta Festival 2023 Schedule
Tuesday, August 1: eve of the festival 18:00 - 21:00 (tentative) (Venue: Aoi Sea Park Special Stage) Various contests and events will be held. Food stalls, etc.
August 2 (Wed.), 3 (Thu.) 19:00- (Departure from the intersection of the first Nebuta Cooperative) Operation of children's Nebuta (approx. 10) and large Nebuta (approx. 15)
August 4 (Fri.)-6 (Sun.) 18:50- (Departure from the intersection of the first Nebuta Shinmachi Yanagi-cho) Operation of large Nebuta (approx. 20)
Monday, August 7 13:00- (Departure from Shinmachi Shinmachi Yanagimachi intersection) Operation of large Nebuta floats (approx. 20 floats to be operated)
Nebuta floats in the dark night are fantastic (Nebuta Production/Hiroo Takenami) The Aomori Nebuta Festival is best enjoyed first by watching and listening to the floats. The sight of the huge, colorful floats moving one after another in front of you is a sight to behold. The sound of the flutes, drums, and hand gongs called "Nebuta Musical Instruments" is so powerful that you may find yourself moving to the rhythm of the music. (Jawamegu is a Tsugaru dialect word meaning "excited").
Nebuta is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Most Nebuta are torn down after the festival, so if you find one you like, please take pictures of it and enjoy the festival.
The award-winning Nebuta are generally displayed at Nebuta House Wa Rasse until they are replaced next year (with some exceptions).
How can I watch the festival?
The Nebuta route is fixed, and anyone can see the floats from the sidewalks along the route for free, with the exception of a few places where there are no paid spectator seats. For example, some locals prefer to watch the Nebuta along the national highway because it is wide and dynamic, while others prefer Shinmachi-dori, which runs from the front of the station, because it is narrower and you can get closer to the Nebuta.
The streets along the route are crowded, so for those who want to sit back and relax or for first-time visitors, we recommend individual seats for a fee. Individual seats are usually available at convenience stores nationwide from early July. For more information on paid bleacher seats, please visit the official website of the Aomori Nebuta Festival. Aomori Nebuta Festival Official HP is here
No.2: Participate as a haneto and have fun!
Haneto in formal attire (Nebuta House Wa Rasse) One of the attractions of the Aomori Nebuta Festival is that tourists can not only watch but also participate in the festival. Dancers called haneto jump around with the call of "rassera rassera" (rassera rassera). Tourists are welcome to participate as long as they are dressed in formal costumes. Some places will even dress you up, so please take this opportunity to try it on!♪
How can I participate in Haneto?
Waiting Nebuta Participation is easy! All you have to do is change into your costume and blend in with the Nebuta Haneto group waiting to go into battle. Of course, participation is free. Some groups do not allow people to jump in, so please feel free to ask around before you join. Also, since participation in the middle of the tour is also not permitted, please be on standby before the start time.
The jumping is like skipping, but you don't have to be bad at it! Watch the people around you and try to imitate them! You may even become friends with the locals who are jumping. ♪ You will most likely have sore muscles by the end of the festival, but you will be able to fully enjoy the fun of Nebuta by jumping.
Please refer to the official website of the Aomori Nebuta Festival for information on where you can borrow Nebuta costumes and the rules for participating in the festival.
No.3: Enjoy the daytime!
Nebuta Raseland Take the seaside route from in front of the station The Aomori Nebuta Festival is held at night except for the final day, but if you want to be fully immersed in the Nebuta during the day, we recommend the "Nebuta Guide" provided by the Aomori Nebuta Russelland Guide Team. The Nebuta Guide Office is located behind the Aomori Prefectural Tourism and Products Museum ASPAM, a seven-minute walk from Aomori Station along the seafront, and offers free guided tours of the festival. You will be guided in detail about the origins and origin of Nebuta, how the festival works, and how Nebuta is made.
Registration: Saturday, July 1 - Sunday, August 6 Time: 10:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 15:00 (last reservation: 14:30) Application: Please apply directly to the information desk Reservation: Individual visitors (groups up to 5 people) Reservations are available for individual visitors (groups of up to 5 people) (accepted from June) *For details, please see the following notes
[Notes] - Due to the number of people we can guide at one time, we do not accept groups - We guide groups of up to 5 people for individual visitors - The guided tour lasts about 20 minutes. The guided tour lasts approximately 20 minutes.
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
*All images are for reference only.
No.4: Enjoy Nebuta spots!
Let's enjoy Aomori Nebuta to the fullest!
Nebuta House "Wa Rasse
Nebuta House Wa Rasse (red building) Large Nebuta floats in the pay area! A short walk from JR Aomori Station is Nebuta House Wa Rasse. In the paid area of the museum, you can learn about the Nebuta and see large Nebuta floats on display, including last year's award-winning Nebuta. While you may be overwhelmed by the dynamic Nebuta during the festival, you can take a closer look at the carefully crafted Nebuta at Wa Rasse and discover something new.
The staff also offers Nebuta musical performances and hands-on Nebuta experience, so a visit at the right time is recommended. There are also many Nebuta-related souvenirs for sale.
For more information on admission fees, experience times, etc., please visit the official website of Nebuta House Wa Russe.
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
*All images are for reference only.
Aomori Tourism and Products Museum ASPAM
Aomori Prefectural Tourism and Products Museum ASPAM 13th Floor Observation Deck Nebuta hut looking down from the observation deckThe best place to visit at Aomori Prefectural Tourism and Products Museum ASPAM is the observation deck on the 13th floor! On display is a "stained glass-style Nebuta painting" created by Hiroo Takenami, a Nebuta artist (Nebuta master), who planned, created and supervised the original artwork, and Shigeki Tezuka, also a Nebuta master.
This work was created to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the opening of the port of Aomori. The Nebuta technique is a new approach that expresses stained glass. The black lines are made of black ink.
From the observatory, you can also look down to see the Nebuta being unveiled from the Nebuta huts during the Nebuta Festival.
Another recommended attraction at Aomori Sightseeing Products Museum ASPAM is the "360° 3D Theater" on the second floor. Here you can watch "The Soul of Aomori Festival (approx. 7 min.)," a powerful visual presentation of festivals in Aomori Prefecture, including the Aomori Nebuta Festival.
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
*All images are for reference only.
Can't find a place to stay in Aomori? If you can't find a place to stay in Aomori...
Because the Aomori Nebuta Festival attracts visitors from all over Japan, it is sometimes difficult to find a place to stay. In such a case, you can go a little further and get accommodation in Hakodate or Morioka♪ Check out Ekinet's accommodation-only plans.Ekinet HP is here
Here is a special report on the Nebuta production!
Here we will update you on the ongoing work of the JR Nebuta Project! This year's Nebuta is "Gokyu (Strong bow): Shima no Tametomo. It will depict Minamoto no Tamecho, a military commander of the Heian period (794-1185), and Oniyasha, the ruler of Izu's Oni-yasha Island.
This year, Hiroo Takenami is again creating the Nebuta for the JR Nebuta Execution Project, and in 2023 he was selected as the 7th "Nebuta Meijin" in recognition of his efforts to date. He has received numerous awards, including the "Best Creator Award" for the most outstanding Nebuta creator, and is also actively involved in new projects such as stained glass-style Nebuta painting.
White Nebuta (Oniyasha part) at the time of the interview in early June This is a pre-colored Nebuta, also called a "white Nebuta," in early June. The lines of the wire are clearly visible, showing the delicacy and boldness of the modeling. Even without coloring, it is still very powerful, and you can feel the greatness of it as it rises toward you! It is fascinating in this state, but I am looking forward to seeing it in color. The Nebuta at the time of the interview in late June The body of Oniyasha and the waves have been colored to give it more of a Nebuta look! The contrast between the red color of the body and the blue of the waves is vivid. If you look closely, you can see the white part, which looks like actual splashing waves. Each Nebuta is unique in its own way, but you can enjoy it even more if you pay attention to these details, so please take the time to look! The scene at the time of the interview in early July. The face of the Nebuta is lit up. The Nebuta is nearing completion! The face of Oniyasha has been painted, and it is as powerful as a Nebuta! The face of Oniyasha is also painted on the Nebuta, giving it a powerful appearance. When the lights are turned on the face, Oniyasha's eyes light up and he seems to come to life. It is frustrating that it is difficult to convey in photos, but when the lights are turned on, the color and expression of the Nebuta change dramatically! They look completely different. If you go to the festival, be sure to compare the unlit Nebuta before they go out with the shining Nebuta during the festival. The Nebuta is complete! In late July, the Nebuta were completed! The completed Nebuta will go through the process of "daiage," which is to place them on a dolly for operation, and then they will be ready to go out to the festival! It's exciting to think that the festival is finally approaching! The vivid colors and the impact of the lights are overwhelming. A closer look
The closer you get, the more powerful it becomes! Oniyasha, who has been watching from the white Nebuta, is also on the platform facing Tamechou in a cool pose.
The Aomori Nebuta Festival is almost here! Please come to Aomori to experience the power of the real Nebuta!
Please also check out the Aomori Nebuta PR video!
We have compiled a video of the Nebuta Festival that we shot last year, so please take a look at it as well.
See the Aomori Nebuta Festival again in 2023! Jump! Let's enjoy it! Aomori Nebuta Festival
