Kuroishi Neputa Aomori Prefecture's most famous summer festival is the Aomori Nebuta Festival, held in Aomori City in early August. Every year, Aomori City is filled with excitement as many tourists from all over the country gather to watch the festival.
In fact, nebuta and neputa festivals are held in various places outside of Aomori City during this time of year. Although the names are similar, each festival has its own unique character.
This time, we would like to introduce one such festival, the Kuroishi Neputa Festival.
What is Kuroishi City like?
Kuroishi City is a historic castle town located approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes by train or 1 hour by bus from JR Shin-Aomori Station, the Shinkansen bullet train station. Nakamachi Komise Street, where the old townscape remains The old streets and old buildings registered as National Important Cultural Properties still remain, and the city is also the birthplace of the lovely Tsugaru Kokeshi dolls.
Please refer to this article for more information about Kuroishi.
The Kuroishi Neputa Festival is held from July 30 to August 5 every year, but unlike the Aomori Nebuta Festival and other festivals, many floats are paraded (called "joint operation") only on July 30 and August 2. Also, please note that the course and content of the festival differ between July 30 and August 2.
17:30 Departure Ceremony (Miyuki Park) 19:00 Departure from Miyuki Park (Screening in front of City Hall)
Saturday, August 2
19:00 Departure from Miyuki Park (Awarding in front of Takahi Barber Shop on Tonda Odori)
Viewing the Neputa before it goes out to the field at Miyuki Park!
If you arrive early in Kuroishi, a visit to Miyuki Park is recommended. Here, you will find a lineup of neputas waiting to go into battle! It is a rare sight to see the neputas lined up in a row. Neputa waiting at Miyuki Park The Neputa is in full swing at night after dark, but it is recommended to see the Neputa under the blue sky before it gets dark, as it has a different charm.
Location
62, Kuroishi City Town, Aomori Prefecture, 036-0306, Japan
Access
10 min. walk from Kuroishi Station of Konan Railway
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
*All images are for reference only.
Viewing the Kuroishi Neputa!
On July 30, you can see the Neputa parading down the historic Nakamachi Komise-dori Street. It is getting dark and the Neputa has arrived! It is a collaboration of Nakamachi Komise-dori and Neputa! The festival starts at 19:00, so it is recommended to have dinner early in the evening. After 19:00, you will start to hear the lively sounds of musical accompaniment and the brave shouts of the performers. The brave call can be heard from the top of the neputa! The calls vary from group to group, but the most common is "Yare, Yare ya! Yare ya! The most common call is "Yare! The most common call is "Yare! Yare-ya!" The "yare" is followed by a "tame," or "yare" and the call is full of energy. The cool voice that resonates from the bottom of the stomach heightens the mood of the festival.
What is the charm of Kuroishi Neputa?
The attraction of the Kuroishi Neputa is the close proximity between the audience and the Neputa! The neptune passes very close to the audience, which makes it very powerful and allows you to see its dynamic movements up close. The neputa passes by so close that you can look up at it! It rotates with a rope. The neputa will stop at intervals during the operation to show you its dynamic movements as it spins around and around. Do you see the rope hanging from the end of the neputa? They hold the rope and run around the neputa to make it rotate. It is very powerful when you see it up close! The back side of the neputa depicts famous places in Kuroishi. Slightly different peony patterns Since the neputa passes close by, you can see every detail of the neputa. The front side of the neputa often depicts heroic warriors, but the back side is gorgeous with graceful women. You may be able to see the patterns unique to Kuroishi.
Also, peony flowers are painted near the base of the neputa, but they look the same but are slightly different. You can observe the differences in the shape and color of the petals as you pass by. By the way, peony flower is the family crest of Tsugaru family who ruled Tsugaru area including Kuroishi.
Since many nebuta will be on display at the Kuroishi Neputa Festival, please take the time to observe the differences between them.
At the end
There are many nebuta and neputa festivals in Aomori Prefecture, but each has its own unique character, so please visit the Kuroishi Neputa Festival and enjoy it.
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