Aomori Nebuta Festival青森ねぶた祭

Illuminated lantern floats depicting heroic figures move through Aomori's summer nights to flute and drum, surrounded by haneto dancers calling out "Rassera." The tradition is designated a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property as "Aomori no Nebuta."

Each year from August 2 to 7, large nebuta floats travel through central Aomori. On the 2nd and 3rd, children's nebuta join the large floats; from the 4th to the 6th the large nebuta process through the night streets; and on the 7th a daytime procession is followed by the nebuta sailing across Aomori Port during the evening fireworks, closing the festival. Around each glowing float, costumed haneto leap to the music, and the city seems to move to a single pulse.

According to the Aomori Prefectural Board of Education, nebuta grew out of the Tanabata-season custom of "sending away" the summer drowsiness that hindered work (nemuri-nagashi). The board notes that the haneto's movements and calls share features with other regional folk performances such as insect-driving rites. "Aomori no Nebuta" was designated a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property on January 28, 1980.

Source: 青森県教育委員会(external site, opens in a new tab)

The prefecture explains that the large nebuta are sponsored by companies and public organisations, while smaller ones come from neighbourhood associations and children's groups, so the festival rests on a broad base of local participation. The designated preservation body is the Aomori Nebuta Festival Preservation Society, and the making of the lanterns, the processions, the music and the dancing are carried forward together by the townspeople.

1. 01

   Night procession of the large nebuta

   On the nights of August 2–6, the illuminated large nebuta travel the parade route through central Aomori.

2. 02

   Haneto dancers

   Dancers who leap around the floats to flute and drum, calling out "Rassera."

3. 03

   Children's nebuta

   On August 2 and 3, children's nebuta also take part in the procession.

4. 04

   Sea procession and fireworks

   On the final night, August 7, nebuta sail on Aomori Port during the fireworks display.

The preservation body is the Aomori Nebuta Festival Preservation Society; large floats from companies and organisations, neighbourhood and children's groups, musicians and haneto dancers carry the festival.

• Aomori Nebuta Festival【公式】2023 青森ねぶた祭｜2023 Aomori Nebuta Festival 4K (Official Video)｜青森睡魔祭官方宣傳影片

• Aomori Nebuta Festival2026.8.2 青森ねぶた祭 ダイジェスト Aomori Nebuta Festival ～青森市役所ねぶた～【青森市公式】

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The programme differs by day; check the official site for the latest schedule, route and seating information.

Traffic controls, seating and fees change every year. Always check the official website for the latest information.

Official website — nebuta.jp(external site, opens in a new tab)

• Stay off the parade route and follow the stewards' directions.
• If you wish to dance as a haneto, follow the participation rules and costume requirements on the official site.
• Avoid photography that obstructs the floats or the participating groups.

• National designation · 1980

  Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property

  Designated subject: Aomori no Nebuta（Festival as a whole）

  Source: 青森のねぶた - 青森県庁(external site, opens in a new tab)

1. 1.青森ねぶた祭 オフィシャルサイト(external site, opens in a new tab)青森ねぶた祭実行委員会 · Accessed 2026-09-26
2. 2.スケジュール・運行コース | 青森ねぶた祭 オフィシャルサイト(external site, opens in a new tab)青森ねぶた祭実行委員会 · Accessed 2026-09-26
3. 3.青森のねぶた - 青森県庁(external site, opens in a new tab)青森県教育委員会 · Accessed 2026-09-26
4. 4.Aomori (city) - Wikipedia(external site, opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · Accessed 2026-09-26

• 

  A giant illuminated nebuta float of warriors and a dragon glowing against the night in Aomori

  Photographer

  Hiart

  Source

  2025 Aomori Nebuta Festival float 4.jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  Public domain(external site, opens in a new tab)

• 

  A nebuta float of two fierce warriors paraded through the street at night by its team

  Photographer

  Fisherman

  Source

  Aomori Nebuta Festival Float August 2006.jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY-SA 3.0(external site, opens in a new tab)

• 

  A wide nebuta float of three guardian deities amid swirling clouds, lit from within

  Photographer

  Hiart

  Source

  2025 Aomori Nebuta Festival float 3.jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  Public domain(external site, opens in a new tab)

• 

  Close-up of a nebuta dragon head with bared fangs, painted on washi paper

  Photographer

  Marie-Sophie Mejan

  Source

  Aomori, Nebuta-matsuri 28.jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY 4.0(external site, opens in a new tab)