Japan’s Most Beautiful Red Iron House “Nebuta House”: Experience Tohoku’s Top Festival 365 Days a Year
Reported and photographed by reporter Tsai Wen-jun / Japan
When it comes to must-see Japanese festivals, the “Nebuta Festival,” one of the Tohoku Three Great Festivals, is a high-energy annual summer tradition. The festival’s lanterns even made an appearance at Taiwan’s Lantern Festival in 2013, causing a huge sensation. A visit to Aomori Prefecture’s “Nebuta House” museum lets you experience the excitement of this 250-year-old festival firsthand, and even try your hand at taiko drumming and making Nebuta lanterns—making it a must-visit spot when in Aomori.
▲ Nebuta House in Aomori
▲ Experience the Nebuta Festival inside Aomori’s Nebuta House. (Photo by reporter Tsai Wen-jun)
▲ A time tunnel inside Aomori’s Nebuta House showcasing the history of the Nebuta Festival.
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The Aomori Nebuta Festival is said to have originated from China’s Qixi Festival, using paper, bamboo, and candles to make lanterns. It takes about three months to create them, usually starting around Golden Week in May. According to Nebuta House, the Aomori Nebuta Festival is held annually from August 2nd to 7th, featuring about 22 giant lanterns, each up to 9 meters wide, parading through the streets of Aomori City. Locals also dress in festival dancer costumes, dancing and shouting along with the lanterns, showcasing the region’s unique summer energy.
▲ Daily Nebuta Festival experiences at “Nebuta House.”
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To truly experience the vibrancy of the Nebuta Festival, there are three 30-minute festival experience sessions held daily at Nebuta House. Visitors can join in the drumming rhythm, or put on the costumes and accessories of the festival dancers known as “Haneto,” shouting along with the locals with chants like “Rasse~Ra Rasse~Ra Rasse Rasse Rasse~Ra,” and feel the electric atmosphere of being right in the middle of the festival.
Nebuta House also mentions that during the actual festival, even visitors can join the parade and celebrate with the locals—but they must wear a “Haneto” costume and choose their favorite lantern to dance along with. If you have the chance to visit Aomori, you definitely shouldn’t miss this Nebuta House.
▲ Interior of Nebuta House. (Photo by reporter Tsai Wen-jun)
Nebuta House
Address: 1-1, 1-chome, Anfuku, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
Access: 1-minute walk from JR Aomori Station
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