The Akita City Folklore & Performing Art Center is dedicated to the Kanto Matsuri held annually in early August. Celebrating Tanabata, the festival features participants from children up to grandfathers balancing poles topped with paper lanterns. The lanterns can weigh anything from 5kg to 50kg. The festival takes place at night along the Chuo Dori boulevard with demonstrations during the day in Agora Plaza near Akita Station in front of the Seibu Department Store.
AloJapan.com