Japanese Festival Tour | Round-trip Green Car Shinkansen | 4-Day Tohoku Summer Festival Tour: Aomori Nebuta & Akita Kanto (Departing from Tokyo)
- A high-quality and reliable Japan tour planned by 'Club Tourism,' a major Japanese travel agency with over 70 years of history. Our tour conductors, known for their hospitality, accompany the tours and have received high praise from international guests.
- Although the guidance is in Japanese, many guests from Taiwan and Hong Kong participate, making it a safe and welcoming experience for first-timers.
- Enjoy two of Tohoku's representative summer festivals from reserved seats.
- Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property—massive, powerful, and illuminated Nebuta floats light up the night sky.
- A magical scene with approximately 280 Kanto poles swaying in the night sky! Experience traditional skills at the Akita Kanto Matsuri.
- Departures on August 3, 4, and 5 also include a visit to the 'Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri.'
- Round-trip Shinkansen Green Car service included.
Product Info
- Aomori Nebuta Matsuri: One of the three major festivals in Tohoku and designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. It is a grand and magnificent midsummer night festival featuring huge illuminated lanterns (Nebuta) mounted on floats that parade through the streets. Its origins are said to date back to the Tanabata festival in the Nara period, and it is considered the most important event of the year for many locals.
- Akita Kanto Matsuri: The 'Akita Kanto Matsuri' is a breathtaking sight where the venue is filled with the light of approximately 280 Kanto poles. This festival has a long history as a ritual to pray for protection against evil and for a bountiful harvest. Traditional performers known as 'sashite' skillfully balance long bamboo poles adorned with many lanterns. The entire Kanto pole represents an ear of rice, and the hanging lanterns represent rice bales, symbolizing prayers for a rich harvest.
- Departures on August 3, 4, and 5 also include a visit to the 'Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri,' a representative festival of Yamagata where participants dance to the Hanagasa Ondo. Day 3: Independent viewing of the 'Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri' [No reserved seating]
- The second night includes a stay at a hotel within walking distance of the Akita Kanto Matsuri venue.
- This product is a 'Request Booking,' and it takes time to confirm your reservation. Since bookings are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, your request may be placed on a waiting list or may not be accepted depending on availability. The final status of your reservation will be confirmed upon the issuance of your voucher. In the unlikely event that the tour cannot be operated due to being fully booked, we will contact you within the specified number of days. Please note that if you do not wish to be on the waiting list, cancellation (with a full refund) is possible.
This tour is conducted in Japanese only.
Please be aware that all guidance provided by the tour conductor during the trip will be in Japanese only. However, to ensure the smooth operation and safety of the tour, we will provide information using translation apps where possible (e.g., meeting points, departure times).
Please observe the following when participating:
- Please book using your correct name and email address.
- Please be punctual with meeting times during the tour. If you miss the meeting time, the tour will depart without you.
Nebuta Festival
Akita Kanto Festival
Yamagata Hanagasa Festival
Kamei Hotel Aomori Makado Large Public Bath (Image)
Tendo Onsen Sakaeya Hotel's large public bath (image)
Purchase Notice
[Travel conditions]
Departure point/Destination: Tokyo/Aomori/Iwate/Akita/Yamagata
Trip duration: 3 nights, 4 days
Transportation used: Chartered bus
Bus company operating the service: Towada Kanko Dentetsu (or equivalent)
Meal plan: Breakfast: 3 times / Lunch: 3 times / Dinner: 3 times
Accommodation used:
First night: Makado Onsen, Kame-no-i Hotel Aomori Makado [Japanese-style room]
Second night: Akita city - Hotel Metropolitan Akita, Akita Castle Hotel, or ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Akita [Western-style room (single, twin, triple)]
Third night: Tendo Onsen Sakaeya Hotel [Japanese-style room]
[Regarding accommodation for the second night]
■For bookings of 3 or more people in one room, an extra bed may be used or you may be split into two rooms. The room type will be at our discretion and cannot be specified due to the festival season. Thank you for your understanding.
■Twin rooms may be changed to studio twin rooms (slightly smaller than standard rooms).
Minimum number of participants: 15
Tour guide: 1
Guide: 1 (Guidance will be in Japanese) *A licensed tour guide will not accompany the tour.
[Travel planning/execution]
Company Name: Club Tourism International Inc
Address: 1-9-6 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Registration Number: Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 1693
Affiliated travel industry association: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) Regular Member
[Consignment Sales]
KKDAY JAPAN Co., Ltd.
2nd Floor, WESTALL Yotsuya Building, 1-22-5 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004, Japan
Registered Travel Agency No. 2045, Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency
Member organization: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Reminders
A minimum of 15 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
A fee of 1,500 yen per meal will be charged for any changes to the meal plan due to food allergies, religious reasons, etc., and any difference in price will be charged at actual cost. Please notify us at least 14 days before your departure date.
This plan is based on information available as of February 1, 2026. Please note that festivals may be unavoidably canceled or their content may be changed due to requests from the national or local government.
While there is a possibility of cancellation due to inclement weather, the event will generally proceed rain or shine. If you cancel due to rain, the usual cancellation fees will apply. No refunds will be given if the festival is cancelled after the tour has departed.
The location and type of seating in the viewing area will be determined by the organizers and allocated to each company, so we will not be able to inform you until just before the tour. Thank you for your understanding.
After watching the festival, you will be transported to the hotel by bus, so please be aware that there may be significant delays depending on traffic conditions on the day. *Please note that the schedule may change depending on traffic conditions after the festival has ended.
[Regarding the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival] There is no information available for departures on August 2nd. Information is only available for departures on August 3rd, 4th, and 5th. There are no reserved seats for viewing. Passengers will be free to watch the festival on their own. Viewing will be during the middle of the festival, and you will not be able to see the beginning or end of the festival.
FAQ
1. What are the specific dates for the Aomori Nebuta Festival in 2026?
The Aomori Nebuta Festival is traditionally held from August 2nd to August 7th each year. The main parades usually take place from the evening of August 2nd to August 6th, with a daytime parade and firework display on the final day, August 7th. Specific daily schedules for 2026 will be officially announced closer to the event, but these dates are consistent for the festival period.
2. Which dates are generally recommended for experiencing the Aomori Nebuta Festival?
For the most vibrant experience of the Aomori Nebuta Festival, the parade nights from August 3rd to August 6th are highly recommended. During these evenings, all the large-scale Nebuta floats participate, creating a spectacular and energetic atmosphere with dancers and music. The final day, August 7th, features a daytime parade and a fireworks display, offering a different, yet equally captivating, experience.
3. What is the typical daily schedule and program for the Aomori Nebuta Festival?
The Aomori Nebuta Festival primarily features grand evening parades from August 2nd to August 6th, where massive Nebuta floats are pulled through the city streets. On the final day, August 7th, there's a daytime parade of selected Nebuta floats, followed by a marine parade and a spectacular fireworks display over Aomori Bay to conclude the festival. Throughout the day, visitors can often see floats displayed at the Nebuta Warasse museum or around the city.
4. What are the main attractions and highlights of the Aomori Nebuta Festival?
The main attractions of the Aomori Nebuta Festival are its immense, illuminated floats known as "Nebuta," depicting warriors, mythical creatures, and historical figures. These powerful and vibrant creations, recognized as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset, parade through the streets accompanied by "Haneto" dancers chanting "Rassera, Rassera" and traditional music, creating an incredibly energetic and visually stunning spectacle that lights up the night sky.
5. What is the significance of the "Rassera Rassera" chant at the Aomori Nebuta Festival?
The "Rassera, Rassera" chant is an iconic and integral part of the Aomori Nebuta Festival. It is enthusiastically shouted by the "Haneto" dancers and participants as they jump and dance around the giant Nebuta floats. This chant encourages the pullers of the floats and adds to the festival's electrifying atmosphere, inviting onlookers to feel the energy and spirit of the celebration.
6. Can visitors view the Aomori Nebuta Festival parades without a reserved seat ticket?
Yes, visitors can absolutely view the Aomori Nebuta Festival parades from public areas along the parade route without a reserved seat ticket. Many people enjoy the lively atmosphere from the sidewalks. However, for a guaranteed clear view and comfortable experience, especially during peak evenings, securing a reserved seat is highly recommended as public viewing spots can become very crowded.
7. How can visitors get to the main parade areas for the Aomori Nebuta Festival?
The main parade areas for the Aomori Nebuta Festival are centrally located in Aomori City, easily accessible from JR Aomori Station. Many hotels and accommodation options are within walking distance of the parade routes. Public transportation such as local buses is also available, but during festival periods, walking is often the most convenient way to navigate the bustling city center and reach the prime viewing spots.
8. What kind of viewing experience can one expect with a reserved seat at the Aomori Nebuta Festival?
With a reserved seat at the Aomori Nebuta Festival, you can expect a comfortable and unobstructed viewing experience. These seats provide a designated spot along the parade route, ensuring a clear vantage point to witness the magnificent Nebuta floats, the energetic Haneto dancers, and the vibrant music without the hassle of competing for space in crowded public areas. It allows for a more relaxed and immersive appreciation of the festival's grandeur.
