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Akita Kanto Festival 秋田竿燈まつり

Akita Kanto Matsuri Akita Kanto Matsuri
Akita Kanto Matsuri Akita Kanto Matsuri

Akita's traditional festival fills the night with light

One of the three main festivals in the region, the Akita Kanto Matsuri is held in early August each year. This summer festival is held to pray for a good harvest of the five grains: wheat, rice, beans, foxtail millet and Chinese millet. The festival is believed to date back to the 17th century.

Quick Facts

This festival is one of the three great festivals in the northern region of Tohoku

The 46 paper lanterns on the floats are all lit by candles

The performing area is nearly one kilometer long

How to Get There

Akita City is easily accessible by train and bus from neighboring areas and cities in the region.

The festival is held between Nichomebashi Bridge and the Sanno Jujiro Crossroads. Nichomebashi Bridge is about ten minutes on foot from Akita Station, which can be reached from Tokyo by the JR Akita Shinkansen.

Light up the night

Using only their hips, shoulders or foreheads, young people wearing traditional festival garb take turns hoisting up twelve-meter-high bamboo poles decorated with 46 paper lanterns and shreds of paper, all secured by bamboo sticks. They then parade through the town to the sound of flutes and drums, all the while shouting with enthusiasm and ensuring that the light in the lanterns does not go out.

Chase away the evil spirits

Through hoisting up the heavy poles, it is said that evil spirits are driven away, and people can offer prayers to Shinto and Buddhist gods. The poles can weigh up to 50 kilograms and are shaped like the ears of rice plants, thereby supporting prayers for a good harvest.

Stay after the main performance for a short talk session led by the performers in which they explain how they manage the poles. You can also pose for photos, and try hoisting one up.

The latest information may differ, so please check the official website



* The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19.

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