【三大ねぶた祭】車中泊で巡る青森ねぶた祭・弘前ねぷたまつり・五所川原立佞武多
Goshogawara Hirosaki Aomori Summer’s Three Major Nebuta Festivals – Sleeping in the Car Hello, this is “Channel 8329”! Summer in Aomori is all about the Nebuta Festival, and this year it’s being held in several locations with great fanfare. The dates overlap quite a bit, so it’s hard to decide which one to see, but this time I couldn’t choose and decided to see them all. We’ll be seeing the three major Nebuta festivals while sleeping in the car. The Nebuta Festival is extremely famous, but why has it become so popular in Aomori? Nebuta is said to have originated in the Tsugaru region as a “Nemuri Nagashi” (sleeping float), an event where people washed away sleepiness and bad luck accumulated during the busy summer farming season into the rivers and seas. Some say it is a variation of the Tanabata Festival’s lantern floating, which was introduced from China during the Nara period, but ultimately, no one knows for sure. From the Edo period to the Meiji period, each region began to create its own nebuta and compete with each other for the best. As a result of this training, distinctive nebuta developed in each region, and today, various distinctive nebuta are scattered throughout Aomori . Aomori has many nebuta festivals, including smaller ones. The main ones are: 1. Aomori Nebuta (3D) Location: Aomori City Features: A huge, doll-shaped nebuta (approximately 5m high and 9m wide). A powerful, 3D representation of a warrior. Popularity: One of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region and world-famous ② Hirosaki Neputa (fan-shaped) Location: Hirosaki City Characteristics: Fan-shaped floats decorated with pictures of warriors and beautiful women. Typically, a heroic warrior is painted on the front and a beautiful woman is painted on the back. Atmosphere: Compared to Aomori, it has a more subdued and elegant atmosphere. ③ Goshogawara Tachineputa Location: Goshogawara City Characteristics: Super-giant neputa that are over 20m tall and weigh over 20t. Origin: It was discontinued during the Meiji period, but was revived in 1998. Other attractions include the Kuroishi Nebuta, Hirakawa Nebuta, and the Ogigata Nebuta in Inakadate, Fujisaki, and Itayanagi. The Aomori Nebuta are three-dimensional doll-shaped, Hirosaki’s fan-shaped, and Goshogawara’s standing nebuta. The shapes vary by region, and the music and chants also differ from region to region. Let’s start with the most famous, Aomori. If you’re planning on camping overnight, it’s important to be able to find a parking space and a toilet. With such a large festival, we were prepared for crowds, but with the situation four hours before the start of the festival, there was still plenty of space in the paid parking lots. We marked some good-looking paid parking lots around the festival site, and they looked like this. There are public toilets near the JR station, so I parked nearby and waited for the festival to begin. There are also toilets in parks and convenience stores, but please check beforehand as convenience stores are closed during certain festivals. As you can see from the route, the large Nebuta floats start from two locations and parade for about 3km. The upper “Teramachi Street” in this diagram is relatively narrow, so you can get a close look at the Nebuta floats. The lower Route 4 is wide, so you can see the huge floats moving around. It’s up to you which side you choose to watch from… There are seats set up along the parade route, so you can sit and enjoy the view, but I wanted to enjoy the view from both roads, so I decided not to buy a seat and just walk along to watch. Heading towards the starting point on Teramachi Street. Just before the 6 o’clock start, the crowds had increased considerably, but not so much that you couldn’t see, so it seemed like you could move around and enjoy the view. The festival begins! The “Shusse Daiko” was founded in 1972 by Fujimoto Fujimoto, the founder of Fujimoto Construction. The drums were made by Eiji, and this year marks the 50th time they have been performed. At the height of their popularity, the Aomori Nebuta Festival saw the parade of up to three large drums. The “Shusse” in the name “Shusse Daidaiko” was apparently chosen to express the wish to “bring energy to all of Japan.” The drums are beaten by eight drummers, and the sound they produce is a profound, powerful thump that hits you right in the stomach. This time, due to the milestone of the 50th anniversary and the deterioration of the leather, the drums were re-skinned. Re-skinning is no easy task, and the long-established Miura Taiko drum shop in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, was commissioned to re-sew and stretch the leather of the drums, which are over 3 meters in diameter. It took a year, and the incredibly difficult task of stretching and sewing together the leather was unimaginable. In 1972, the Shusse Taiko, Japan’s largest drum, was 3.1 meters in diameter. It measures 3.7m, weighs about 2 tons, and is carried by musicians and drummers as it passes through the streets. On the narrower Teramachi Street, you can see it so close you can almost reach out and touch it. The Yamato Transport Nebuta Executive Committee’s “Kidomaru” won the Governor’s Award and the Operator/Jumper Award. The nebuta itself was wonderful, but what I liked most about it was how lively the participants were. Perhaps it’s because there were so many young people, but everyone seemed to be having a great time. A meeting organized by representatives of transport companies from all over the country happened to be held in Aomori during Nebuta season, and when they saw that rival Nippon Express was participating, they were inspired to say, “Yes! We’ll join in too!” and that was what inspired them to participate . What an energetic company… It looks fun! I liked last year’s chants, but it seems they’ve been changed this time. Last year, after the rassailors, the leader shouted “Kuroneko Yamato!” and everyone joined in with a chorus of “Takkyubin!”, which made me burst out laughing. If they could bring it back, it would be even more fun to watch… The Aomori Prefecture Sheet Metal Industry Association has been participating in the Aomori Nebuta Festival for many years as part of its regional cooperation project, marking its 58th year since the festival began. What’s noteworthy is the number of people involved. At peak times, there are about 300 to 400 people, and they are conscious of having as many people as possible wear flower hats to create a sense of splendor and unity . The pullers are from the youth division. The music is performed by the Isshinkai group . The group’s first president, Uenoyama, named the group with the meaning of “everyone coming together to play the music. We’ll all be united in spirit and get along well.” Every year, motorcyclists from all over Japan gather to perform the “Nyuunryu Kosonkatsu Ougi Gorai Tenkang” festival. They pitch tents at a campground near the ferry dock and participate every day. The large nebuta floats, based on the “Suikoden” motif, were magnificent and impressive. The Nippon Express Nebuta Executive Committee has been participating in the festival since 1947, marking its 77th anniversary in 2025. One of the oldest organizations , the committee’s participation was prompted in part by employees’ desire to participate in the festival . This passion has been passed down for over 70 years, building a history. Rather than viewing the Nebuta Festival as an advertising medium, the committee has participated as a way to contribute to the community. The Aomori Hishiyukai first took part in the festival in 1990, and has participated every year since, winning the Nebuta Grand Prize six times. Because they value their ties with the local community and the prefecture’s cultural climate, their themes are closely tied to the local area. This year’s large nebuta featured “Kaiou” by Hiroo Takenami, the seventh Nebuta master, symbolizing the city of Aomori, which has developed as a shipping and commercial town. Amazingly , they won the Nebuta Grand Prize again this year! The musicians were really engaging. Not only the nebuta, but the musicians and dancers were dynamic and entertaining. “Kaiou” has arrived! The Panasonic Nebuta Festival began in 1961 (Showa 36). It is primarily run by Panasonic dealers and retailers, with other Panasonic companies providing support. As a unique Panasonic initiative, a large screen is set up during the festival, projecting images of the spectators and dancers onto the screen. The Nebuta Festival has a long history, and while it’s a fascinating event that has generated a lot of excitement , it has also experienced many hardships. In the early Meiji period, the government banned the festival, preventing it from being held for about 10 years. After Aomori was reduced to ashes by war, it was revived after the war. There was also the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which is still fresh in our memory. Although it has faced many crises , it has always bounced back, and is the number one festival in Japan that continues to excite the people of Aomori, both now and in the past – the Nebuta Festival. It is also a festival with excellent management, with the setting up of viewing seats and managing the crowds . The reason the festival has developed to this extent is probably largely due to the fact that these things are well managed. I would like to come back next year if possible. After the festival in Aomori, I headed towards Goshogawara to prepare for the Tachineputa. However, there was no suitable place to sleep in Goshogawara, so I spent the night in my car at the roadside station “Tsuruta”. I have always wanted to see the Tachineputa! I am looking forward to it. Last year, after seeing the Aomori Nebuta festival with my wife, we stopped by the Tachineputa Museum. I hadn’t been particularly interested in it until then, but I was surprised when I saw the Tachineputa on display! I was blown away, wondering, “Are these gigantic Neputa really going to parade through the city?” It’s 23 meters tall, about the height of a four-story building, and you can actually take the elevator to the fourth floor to see it. Unfortunately, we had plans, so we reluctantly returned home together. I feel sorry for my wife, but this time I will be visiting alone. I spent the morning wandering around the hot springs near Mt. Iwaki, and arrived here at around 2pm . It wasn’t crowded yet, and I was able to park in front of the Tachineputa Museum. It seems less crowded than Aomori. If you arrive at this time, you can choose your parking spot. This year, the Tachineputa Museum is closed for renovations. Usually, the departure ceremony is held here before the departure. This year, it just came out slimy…but look at how big it is! It’s like a monster has appeared! Just its movement elicits cheers. It may not be possible to convey it on screen, but it is that big! It has begun to move towards the starting point. Goshogawara’s giant Neputa first appeared on record in 1907 (Meiji 40). Wealthy merchants and large landowners began competing over the size of the Neputa they would put out at their summer festivals, and some are said to have been over 30 metres tall. From the end of the Taisho period to the early Showa period, electric wires were strung throughout the city, and the Neputa became smaller. During wartime, the festival itself also became smaller. Furthermore, many of the production materials for the giant Neputa, such as blueprints and photographs, were lost in two major fires during the war. The second large Neputa is waiting here… The leader is approaching from afar, with the shouts of “Yattomare, Yattomare!” It was a “let’s just do it” kind of feeling. At first, the mayor, city hall officials and the executive committee chairman said that from what I could see on the website, 17 groups were participating, but I couldn’t figure out the order of the parades. The main street in front of the Tachineputa Museum was packed with people, so it must be popular. The unique rhythm is somehow nostalgic and fits into your body. There was something passionate about the solemn atmosphere, which is different from Aomori. The size of the parade was overwhelming. It is said that at its peak it could be seen from neighboring towns, making it an incredible, almost dreamlike sight. In 1993 (Heisei 5), the blueprints for the lost base of the giant Neputa were discovered in a house whose relatives were carpenters who worked for the wealthy merchant Nunoka. This led to the restoration of the giant Neputa for the first time in about 80 years in 1996, and it was paraded in the festival in 1998. From the following year, a new one was made each year, and the festival was renamed “Goshogawara Tachineputa,” and is still held today. From the end of the Showa era to the beginning of the Heisei era, the festival was losing its vitality due to the collapse of the bubble economy, the worsening of the local economy, and the declining birthrate and aging population. It was a great help to Goshogawara. Some of Goshogawara’s small Neputa floats rotate like this, and it varies depending on the region. We turned down an alley from the main street and headed to the back parade route. The musicians were enthusiastic, making gestures that seemed to provoke the audience, livening up the atmosphere. If you go to the back route, you can see spaces along the road where you can enjoy the view at your own pace. There were many small children participating, and it was great to see their cute faces up close. The spectators also stood up in delight when their neighbors passed by. There were tables set up in front of the restaurant, and many people were watching while having a drink in the viewing seats. I’m jealous! I’ll definitely get this next time, baby! Just like Grandpa… I thought the shouting suddenly stopped, but it was because the cord had come loose lol. It felt like something big was coming, but it has n’t arrived yet. The line of people pulling the floats is still going on! Wow! It’s huge! They are passing by, just barely brushing against the power lines! Goshogawara is smaller than Aomori, but it seems to be run mainly by local people rather than by large organizations . Perhaps because of this, I felt an indescribable warmth in the entire festival. Both the performers and the spectators were constantly smiling, and they seemed to be truly enjoying the festival. Although I was an outsider, I somehow felt like I was allowed to join in the fun. Next time, I’d like to bring my wife and watch the festival while having a drink at a table. After the festival, we headed to Hirosaki and spent the night in our car at the roadside station “Hirosaki.” There was no night service, so we watched the daytime service, but perhaps it would have been better to watch it at night… What a mistake, I should have come a day earlier… This is a nationally designated intangible folk custom. The Hirosaki Neputa Festival, designated a cultural property and a colorful summer highlight in the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture, sees around 80 magnificent and majestic Neputa floats of various sizes parade through the castle town of Hirosaki. There are two types of Neputa: the fan-shaped “Ogi Neputa” and the doll-shaped “Kumi Neputa.” The sight of the men pulling the large Neputa, some measuring up to 9 meters and weighing several tons, is truly impressive. The adorable “Goldfish Neputa” held by children is also popular. It was a shame that we weren’t able to see the actual parade, but today, the 7th, is the day for the “Nukabi Okuri” (Nukabi Sending Ceremony), which marks the final day of the Hirosaki Neputa Festival. The ritual involves expressing gratitude and offering prayers for the Neputa, as well as praying for success in the coming year. The former custom of throwing the Neputa into the water has now been replaced by purifying them with fire and sending them off. This event takes place every August 7th on the Iwaki River riverbed (Akuto Naruse, near Akanebashi Bridge). I spent the day resting and shopping at Aeon Town. The venue opens at 5:00 PM (stalls open), the stage event begins at 5:30 PM, the Neputa display at 6:00 PM, the Neputa float at 7:30 PM, and the Neputa burning at 8:10 PM . Since it’s not the actual parade, I didn’t have high expectations… but the Neputa were on display! With the Tsugaru shamisen playing, I was able to get up close to the floats. If I hadn’t come here, I wouldn’t have been able to see them so close. I’m so glad I did! Misaki Ayaka’s song performance was also wonderful. I’ll keep it short to avoid copyright issues. “Yaya-yado” is a local Hirosaki chant. Apparently, it comes from part of an old “Neputa song.” It was so energetic! During the song show, the Neputa floats were moving around in preparation for the “Nebuta Nagashi” (Floating the Floats). This cover of Teresa Teng’s song was beautiful against the setting sun . Her voice was beautiful . The explanation of the “Nukabi Okuri” (Nukabi-okuri) was also detailed, which was much appreciated by an outsider like me. The Neputa floats approached like they were floating down a river. Once the floats were all lined up, the mayor gave a speech. I had always thought it would be boring for important people to give long speeches at events like this, but everyone seemed to be listening intently and with incredible enthusiasm! A huge chorus of “Yayado” ! I’ve never seen such an exciting mayor’s speech. It’s clear that this festival is an important event for the people of this area. It’s a great festival… Finally, the Neputa floats are set on fire, a traditional ritual to purify evil spirits and allow them to ascend to heaven. The Neputa floats are engulfed in flames and ascend to heaven in a flash of sparks. The flames scorch the heavens, creating a slightly sad feeling. It felt like summer had come to an end for this year . What did you think? Of the three major Nebuta festivals, which one would you like to go to? I would definitely go to all three next year! 8329Channel How to Walk Japan
東北の夏といえばお祭り！
今回は車中泊しながら「青森ねぶた祭」「弘前ねぷたまつり」「五所川原立佞武多」の三大ねぶたを巡る旅に出ました。
夜になると街中が熱気に包まれ、色鮮やかな山車や立佞武多が動き出す光景は圧巻！
車中泊ならではの気ままな旅で、東北の短い夏をたっぷり満喫してきました。
📍今回の旅ルート
・青森ねぶた祭（青森市）
・弘前ねぷたまつり（弘前市）
・五所川原立佞武多（五所川原市）
🔥旅の見どころ
・迫力の掛け声と跳人（はねと）が舞う「青森ねぶた」
・扇型の灯りが優雅に流れる「弘前ねぷた」
・高さ20m級！圧倒的スケールの「五所川原立佞武多」
青森の三大ねぶたを一度に味わえる贅沢な車中泊旅。
ぜひ最後まで一緒にお楽しみください！
#青森ねぶた祭
#弘前ねぷた
#五所川原立佞武多
#東北夏祭り
#車中泊旅
#東北旅行
00:00 スタート
02:23 青森ねぶた祭
04:13 出世大太鼓
06:01 ヤマト運輸ねぶた実行委員会
08:19 青森県板金工業組合
10:17 日本通運ねぶた実行委員会
11:01 青森菱友会
12:53 パナソニックねぶた会
13:44 ねぶた苦悩の歴史
14:58 五所川原 立佞武多
16:13 PM5:30
18:08 運行開始
21:44 裏コースへ
24:16 デカいのが来た！
27:04 弘前ねぷた
28;48 なぬかびおくり
32:13 ねぷた流し
35:00 ねぷたおくり(燃やし)
AloJapan.com