Aomori Nebuta Festival
High crowdTohokuAomori, Aomori
Date
August 2–7
Region
Tohoku
About this festival
Enormous illuminated paper lantern floats (nebuta) depicting warriors and mythological figures parade through the city at night. Spectacular and unique to the Tohoku region.
Highlights
- ✓Giant illuminated floats
- ✓Night parades
- ✓Warrior figures
- ✓Tohoku's biggest festival
Getting There
Aomori Station (JR Tohoku Shinkansen)
⭐ Why visit this spot
- ✓Massive illuminated nebuta floats (warriors, gods) are arguably Japan's most visually stunning festival imagery.
- ✓Held entirely at night — the floats glow against the dark, with taiko drumming and chanting.
- ✓August 2–7 fixed dates with both nightly parades and the dramatic Aug 7 finale (floats taken out to sea).
- ✓Aomori's apple/seafood culture pairs beautifully with the festival.
🚄 Getting there in detail
- Nearest station
- Aomori (JR Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa from Tokyo ~3h)
- Walk from station
- 10 min walk from Aomori Station to most parade routes
- Train frequency
- Hayabusa every 30–60 min from Tokyo; locals every 30 min in city
- Payment
- JR + IC; reserved festival seats ¥3,000–4,000 via Lawson Loppi or official site
- 🧳 Luggage storage
- Aomori Station has lockers (¥400–800); 'Nebuta Rasse' museum offers paid storage
⏰ Best time of day: Parades start 7:10 PM; arrive by 5 PM for free street viewing
📍 Location
Open in Google Maps →🍴 Nearby food & things to do
Click any item for details, ratings, and directions
🍴Food & Drink(6)
- Food
A-Factory food hall★★★★★4.3
Modern food hall featuring Aomori specialties.
💡 Cider tasting room (Aomori is Japan's apple capital), Aomori beef, scallops, and ramen all under one roof. Modern, English-friendly.
⏱️ Next to station💴 ¥1,000–3,000🕒 9:00–20:00📍 Google Maps → - Restaurant
Aomori Sashimi Donburi (Furukawa Market)★★★★☆4.7
Build-your-own sashimi rice bowl with 10+ fresh toppings.
💡 Furukawa Fish Market lets you pick sashimi tickets and assemble your own kaisendon. Maguro, uni, ikura, hotate. Tourists love it — English explained.
⏱️ 5 min walk from station💴 ¥1,500–3,500🕒 7:00–16:00 (closed Tue)📍 Google Maps → - Restaurant
Aomori Hotate (Scallop) Specialist★★★★☆4.6
Mutsu Bay scallops — Japan's plumpest, sweetest.
💡 Mutsu Bay produces Japan's largest scallops. Try them grilled in shell, as sashimi, or fried. Multiple Aomori restaurants showcase them. Cards accepted.
⏱️ Throughout Aomori💴 ¥2,500–4,500🕒 11:00–14:00, 17:00–22:00📍 Google Maps → - Restaurant
Senbei-jiru Hot Pot★★★★★4.3
Aomori comfort food — wheat-cracker chicken soup.
💡 Hachinohe-style winter dish: chicken broth, vegetables, broken senbei crackers simmered in. Now a regional star year-round. Many Aomori shops serve it.
⏱️ Throughout Aomori💴 ¥1,000–1,800🕒 Most 11:00–21:00📍 Google Maps → - Restaurant
Yakitori Kawamura (Aomori)★★★★☆4.5
Charcoal yakitori with local Aomori chicken.
💡 Cozy 15-seat shop. Local Aomori shamo chicken on binchotan. Pair with Aomori apple cider or local Densyu sake. Picture menu, foreigner-friendly.
⏱️ 10 min from station💴 ¥2,500–4,000🕒 17:30–23:30 (closed Sun)📍 Google Maps → - Cafe
Apple Pie Cafe (A-Factory)★★★★☆4.5
Aomori apple pies — fresh-baked daily.
💡 Aomori is Japan's apple capital. A-Factory beside the station bakes apple pies fresh, with multiple regional apple varieties. Apple cider tasting bar adjacent.
⏱️ Next to station💴 ¥500–900🕒 9:00–20:00📍 Google Maps →
Plan your visit to Aomori Nebuta Festival
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