Running from August 1–7, the Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri is closely related to but distinct from the Aomori Nebuta, featuring giant fan-shaped (uchiwa-neputa) floats rather than humanoid figures. The floats, some towering over five metres, display vivid paintings of warriors from Chinese and Japanese historical epics on their front face and feminine bijin portraits on the reverse. The procession moves to the hypnotic beat of taiko, flutes and the chant 'Yayadorya.' Hirosaki's festival, with its unique float aesthetic, is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Matsuri
- Season
- Summer
- Month
- Early August
- Region
- Tohoku
- Prefecture
- Aomori
- City
- Hirosaki
Highlights
- ◆Giant fan-shaped uchiwa-neputa floats up to 5 m tall
- ◆Warrior paintings on front, bijin portraits on reverse
- ◆Designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property
- ◆Evening parades through Hirosaki's historic streets
- ◆Taiko, fue flute and call-and-response chanting atmosphere