Aomori Nebuta Festival, Akita Kanto Festival, and Hiraizumi Chusonji Temple Opening Ceremony: 2-Night, 3-Day Sightseeing Tour
- Enjoy both of Tohoku's biggest summer festivals at once! You'll get to watch both the Aomori Nebuta Festival and the Akita Kanto Festival from the viewing seats.
- The admission fee for Hiraizumi and Chuson-ji Temple, both World Heritage sites, includes entry to the Golden Hall, the Sankozo Treasury, and the unveiling of the hidden Buddha statue!
You can enjoy the dazzling brilliance of the National Treasure Konjikido Hall, the Sankozo Treasure House which houses precious cultural artifacts, and even the limited-time special unveiling of the hidden Buddha statue.
- Your first night will be spent at a hot spring resort by Lake Towada. After enjoying the festival, you can relax and unwind in the hot springs.
- We will also take you to the samurai residences of Kakunodate. This is one of Akita Prefecture's most popular tourist spots, preserving the streetscape of a castle town from the Edo period.
- For your meal, you can enjoy the flavors of various regions in Tohoku, including Aomori's famous "Chicken Rice Bento," Akita's famous "Akitakomachi Bento," Inaniwa Udon, and cold pork shabu-shabu from Iwate Prefecture.
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Minimum participant requirement | 10 travelers |
| Meal arrangement | Breakfast included, With dinner |
| Accommodation type | Hotel |
| Seasonal | Summer Festival |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
Three days exploring popular summer festivals that vividly color Tohoku's short summer.
Enjoy the Nebuta Festival in Aomori and the Kanto Festival in Akita from the comfort of your seat. Experience the unique energy and emotion of Tohoku, brought to life by the impressive Nebuta floats and fantastical lights.
Furthermore, the tour includes plenty of sightseeing opportunities to some of Tohoku's most representative scenic spots and famous places, such as Lake Towada, Lake Tazawa, and the samurai residences of Kakunodate. On the final day, we will take you to the World Heritage site of Hiraizumi's Chuson-ji Temple, where you can see the Golden Hall, the Sankozo Treasure House, and the unveiling of the temple's hidden Buddha statue.
For your meal, you can enjoy the flavors of various regions in Tohoku, including Aomori's famous "Chicken Rice Bento," Akita's famous "Akitakomachi Bento," Inaniwa Udon, and cold pork shabu-shabu from Iwate Prefecture.
Additionally, with late departure times scheduled for both nights, you can enjoy a leisurely morning. After watching the festival, we'll provide a late-night snack, and you can relax and unwind in the hot springs or large public bath.
This special tour, available only during this season, allows you to enjoy the charm of Tohoku's three major summer festivals, along with stunning scenery, history, and delicious food, all in one place.
[Aomori Nebuta Festival] Held annually from August 2nd to 7th, this is one of Japan's most representative festivals in the Tohoku region. Approximately 20 giant, illuminated floats made of washi paper, called "Nebuta," parade dynamically through the night streets along a 3.1km course. You can enjoy this popular and impressive festival, which attracts over 3 million tourists every year, from the viewing seats. Dancers called "Haneto" dance wildly and energetically to the music of traditional drums and flutes.
![[Aomori Nebuta Festival] Held annually from August 2nd to 7th, this is one of Japan's most representative festivals in the Tohoku region. Approximately 20 giant, illuminated floats made of washi paper, called "Nebuta," parade dynamically through the night streets along a 3.1km course. You can enjoy this popular and impressive festival, which attracts over 3 million tourists every year, from the viewing seats. Dancers called "Haneto" dance wildly and energetically to the music of traditional drums and flutes.](https://image.kkday.com/v2/image/get/c_fit%2Cq_55%2Ct_webp%2Cw_960/s1.kkday.com/product_scm_11988/20260529062106_oPUvq/jpg)
The Akita Kanto Festival is a summer festival with a history of over 270 years, held annually from August 3rd to 6th. Craftsmen skillfully manipulate giant bamboo poles, which resemble "glowing rice stalks," by positioning them in a cross shape, attaching numerous lights and lanterns to them. Enjoy the Kanto festival's spectacular performances as the participants parade through the streets accompanied by drumming from the viewing stands.
Kakunodate is a popular castle town known as the "Little Kyoto of Michinoku." It retains a historical atmosphere with its rows of black-walled fences and samurai residences, and visitors can enjoy the scenery of each season. In particular, the samurai residence street has been designated as a nationally important traditional building preservation district, making it one of Tohoku's leading tourist destinations where you can feel the atmosphere of the Edo period while strolling around.
[Hiraizumi/Chuson-ji Temple] Chuson-ji Temple in Hiraizumi is a historic and renowned temple that represents the World Heritage site of Hiraizumi. Known as a temple associated with the Oshu Fujiwara clan, the magnificent "Konjiki-do" (Golden Hall), covered in gold leaf, is a must-see. Cedar trees line the temple grounds, allowing visitors to enjoy a solemn atmosphere where history and nature harmonize. As a leading historical tourist destination in Tohoku, it attracts many visitors.
![[Hiraizumi/Chuson-ji Temple] Chuson-ji Temple in Hiraizumi is a historic and renowned temple that represents the World Heritage site of Hiraizumi. Known as a temple associated with the Oshu Fujiwara clan, the magnificent "Konjiki-do" (Golden Hall), covered in gold leaf, is a must-see. Cedar trees line the temple grounds, allowing visitors to enjoy a solemn atmosphere where history and nature harmonize. As a leading historical tourist destination in Tohoku, it attracts many visitors.](https://image.kkday.com/v2/image/get/c_fit%2Cq_55%2Ct_webp%2Cw_960/s1.kkday.com/product_scm_11988/20260529062134_zKMvb/jpg)
Purchase Notice
[Travel conditions]
Departure point/Destination: Tokyo/Aomori/Akita/Iwate
Trip duration: 2 nights, 3 days
Transportation used: JR Shinkansen (bullet train) and chartered bus.
Bus companies operating the service: Hanamaki Kanko Bus and other equivalent contracted bus companies.
Meals: Breakfast twice, lunch twice, dinner twice (packed lunch)
Accommodation: [First night] Hotel Towada-so or Lake View Hotel (Japanese-style room, Japanese-Western style room, or Western-style room)
[Second night] Aeria Tono (Western-style room, twin)
Minimum number of participants: 10 people
Tour guide: 1 person
[Travel planning/execution]
Company Name: T-LIFE Holdings Co., Ltd.
Address: 4F, Hikarigaoka MK Building, 5-11-26 Takamatsu, Nerima-ku, Tokyo
Registration Number: Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 197
Affiliated travel industry association: Japan Association of Travel Agents
Reminders
A minimum of 10 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 21 day(s) before the departure date
Please arrive at the designated location 5 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Participation is not permitted for individuals. Please be aware of this beforehand.
The festival will proceed rain or shine, but may be canceled in case of severe weather. Even if the festival is canceled, the decision will be made on the day of the event, and the tour will still proceed. Please note that in this case, we will not be able to refund any tickets or other fees for seating. *The seating area is not covered. Seats may be wet in rainy weather, so please bring a raincoat or similar. (Umbrellas are not permitted.)
Please note that it may take about 20 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the festival venue. Please take precautions against the heat and wear comfortable, broken-in shoes.
Arrival times at each accommodation may vary depending on the occupancy rate on the day.
To ensure the bus driver has sufficient rest time, the departure time the following day may change depending on the time of arrival at the hotel the previous day.
For the second night's hotel stay, if three people are sharing a room, one extra bed will be provided.
Our tour guides may provide explanations in Japanese using a multilingual simultaneous interpretation system. This system supports languages from around the world, including English, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, and Korean. (Please bring your smartphone; app installation is not required.)
FAQ
1. What kind of cultural experience does the Aomori Nebuta Festival offer?
The Aomori Nebuta Festival is a vibrant summer celebration featuring massive, illuminated lantern floats depicting mythical figures, historical heroes, and gods. Spectators can witness the energetic parades, accompanied by traditional music and the distinct 'Rassera, Rassera' chant. It offers a deep dive into Tohoku's rich cultural heritage and a memorable, lively atmosphere.
2. What is the recommended timing to attend the Akita Kanto Festival?
The Akita Kanto Festival is typically held over several days in early August. To experience the festival at its peak, attending the main night parade is highly recommended. This is when the spectacular kanto poles, adorned with numerous lanterns, are hoisted and balanced by skilled performers, creating an impressive display of strength and tradition.
3. How are seating arrangements handled for viewing the Aomori Nebuta Festival?
For viewing the Aomori Nebuta Festival, dedicated spectator seats are provided as part of the tour package. This ensures a comfortable and clear view of the magnificent lantern floats and the vibrant parade, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the festival atmosphere without the hassle of finding a spot.
4. When do the Aomori Nebuta Festival and Akita Kanto Festival typically take place?
The Aomori Nebuta Festival usually runs from August 2nd to 7th each year. The Akita Kanto Festival traditionally takes place shortly after, from August 3rd to 6th. Both are iconic summer festivals in the Tohoku region, celebrated annually.
5. What are the key attractions included with admission at Hiraizumi Chuson-ji Temple?
Admission to Hiraizumi Chuson-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, includes access to several significant attractions. You can admire the brilliantly gilded Konjiki-do (Golden Hall), explore the Sankozo Museum which houses valuable cultural treasures, and experience special limited-time openings of its enshrined secret Buddha statues.
6. What can visitors expect to see at the Kakunodate Samurai District?
At the Kakunodate Samurai District, visitors can step back in time to an Edo-period castle town. The district is known for its well-preserved samurai residences with traditional architecture, serene gardens, and historic weeping cherry trees. You can explore the former homes of samurai families and experience the authentic atmosphere of feudal Japan.
7. What kind of accommodation and meals are provided during the tour?
The tour includes one night's accommodation at an onsen (hot spring) resort on the shores of Lake Towada, offering a relaxing experience after festival viewing. Meals provided showcase local Tohoku flavors, such as Aomori's chicken rice bento, Akita's Akita Komachi bento, Inaniwa udon, and Iwate-produced chilled pork shabu-shabu.
8. How can I book the tour that includes the Aomori Nebuta Festival and Akita Kanto Festival?
You can easily book this comprehensive 2-night, 3-day tour, which includes viewing seats for both the Aomori Nebuta Festival and Akita Kanto Festival, through KKday. Booking via KKday offers the convenience of securing your spot for these popular events, along with round-trip Shinkansen tickets from Tokyo Station and carefully planned itineraries.
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