Tohoku

Akita

A home to many breathtaking seasonal festivals

The main attraction in Akita is the Kanto Matsuri held annually from Aug 5 -7th that sees the streets of Chuo Dori turn into a dazzling display of light and sheer skill as men balance lanterns attached to giant bamboo poles on their palms, heads, shoulders and hips.
Along with Aomori’s Nebuta and Sendai’s Tanabata Festivals, the Kanto Matsuri in Akita is considered one of the Three Great Festivals of the Tohoku Region.
The festival dates back to the mid-18th Century and is performed to pray for a good grain harvest and divine protection from illness. The lanterns are arranged to resemble an ear of rice building up in size to a maximum of 12m.
After exactly 1 hour of acrobatics, you will then be allowed down on the street to converse with the performers and have pictures taken.

Kanto Festival eight-meter-high bamboo poles decorated with 46 paper lanterns and shreds of paper, all secured by wooden sticks.

Through hoisting up the heavy poles, it is said that evil spirits are driven away

Stay after the main performance for a short talk session led by the performers in which they explain how they manage the poles.

Omagari Fireworks Festival not only a show, but also a heated competition between skilled pyrotechnicians from around the nation.