Must-See Summer Festivals in Tohoku Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jul 04 2024

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Once summer arrives, festivals are held throughout Japan. In particular, the Tohoku region, known for its rich history and traditions, hosts many famous summer festivals. This article will focus on the three major summer festivals in Tohoku.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Sendai and Aomori.

About Japan's Summer Festivals

The distinct change in the seasons in Japan has brought about festivals meant to celebrate some aspect of a specific season. For example, a spring festival might be held to wish for a bountiful harvest as spring is the rice planting season, while people might celebrate an autumn festival to give thanks for a successful harvest, as autumn is harvesting season. As for summer festivals, many were made to ward off anything that could hinder a bountiful harvest, such as typhoons and pests. Some other purposes include warding off diseases as outbreaks tend to occur during the summer and honoring one’s ancestors.

Among the festivals that color Japan’s summer, the three major summer festivals of Tohoku are worth noting. Though they differ in appearance and content, they all rank among the top in Tohoku in terms of scale, splendor, the number of visitors, and popularity. Since they’re all held at around the same time, it’s recommended to visit them all!

[Aomori Nebuta Festival / Aomori]

The Aomori Nebuta Festival is one of the most well-known festivals in Japan. Giant lanterns called "nebuta", made of bamboo and paper, are placed on floats and paraded through the town before being released into the sea. The lanterns are decorated with various motifs such as samurai paintings and kabuki scenes.

Another highlight of the festival is the “haneto” dancers, who add to the excitement by engaging the crowds. They dance to the accompaniment of flutes and drums, shouting “Rassera! Rassera!” (*) while performing. Tourists are welcome to join in the dance, but they need to prepare their own costumes, so be sure to check and prepare in advance rather than just jumping in.

*A call to the audience to "Let's have fun together!"

・Dates of the festival in 2024
August 1 (eve of the festival) - August 7

[Sendai Tanabata Festival / Miyagi]

The Sendai Tanabata Festival is a large-scale event that started as a way to welcome the god of rice paddies and pray for a bountiful harvest. Now, it attracts more than 2 million visitors every year.

The highlight is the colorful decorations displayed in various locations, including local shopping streets in central Sendai and surrounding areas, such as the one stretching out from Sendai Station. Additionally, there’s a fireworks display on the eve of the festival with over 15,000 fireworks and a plaza filled with stalls offering delicious food.

・Dates of the festival in 2024
August 5 (eve of the festival: Sendai Tanabata Fireworks Festival) - August 8

[Akita Kanto Festival / Akita]

Held for over 230 years, this historic festival is held to pray for a good harvest and drive away anything unlucky associated with summer. The symbol of the festival is a large “Kanto”, which is a thick bamboo pole on which up to 46 lanterns are hung. The lanterns are designed to resemble rice bales, and the entire structure is made to look like ears of rice. The largest Kanto is 12 meters long and weighs 50 kilograms, but skilled performers can balance it on their palms or foreheads with remarkable precision.

The festival includes a daytime section where contestants showcase their skills and a nighttime section where visitors can enjoy the enchanting glow of the lanterns, both attracting numerous tourists.

・Dates of the festival in 2024
August 3 - August 6

Enjoy the Local Delicacies!

During your visit to the Tohoku region to enjoy the festivities, don’t just treat your eyes to a feast, but your taste buds as well! Here are two restaurants in the area worth trying.

Wagyu Ryori Ban (Kotodai-koen / Japanese BBQ)

This yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant is located on Jozenji-dori Avenue, lined with beautiful zelkova trees. The menu exclusively features top-grade A5 Wagyu beef carefully selected from various regions across Japan (origin and brand vary weekly). Among the most popular dishes are the [Carefully Selected Short Ribs] (3,800 JPY), which has a lovely buttery flavor that seemingly melts in the mouth in a few bites, and the [Beef Liver] (1,300 JPY), which is delivered directly from the farm and is only available in limited quantities.

In addition to yakiniku, the restaurant also offers omelet rice, beef stew, and other dishes. All seats are equipped with smokeless grills, so you don't have to worry about any smoke or odors.

Wagyu Ryori Ban

Open: [Monday-Friday] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,500 JPY
Access: 5 minutes walk from South Exit 2 of Kotodai Koen Station on the Sendai Subway Namboku Line. It's a building with 7-Eleven on the 1st floor
Address: 2F, 2-14-25, Kokubuncho, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi Map
More Details Reservation

Hoidoya (Aomori / Izakaya)

This izakaya (Japanese pub) lets you fully enjoy the flavors of Aomori. The owner, a fishing enthusiast, visits the market daily to select the best seasonal seafood, ensuring no frozen ingredients are used. Taste the freshness for yourself with the [Five Kinds of Fresh Fish Platter] (2,750 JPY), which, despite its name, often includes more than five types of sashimi. Try the other flavors of Aomori with dishes such as the [Black Pork Gyoza with Aomori Garlic] (550 JPY), grilled on a hot iron plate.

While you’re there, be sure to explore their wide selection of local Aomori sake! The restaurant offers a variety of seating options, from casual counter seating to private rooms where you can relax without worrying about the people around you.

Hoidoya

Open: [Friday,Saturday,Day Before Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (last order 11:00 pm)[Sunday - Thursday,Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (last order 9:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: 20-minute walk from Aomori Station on the JR and Aoimori Railway lines
Address: 1-1-13, Hashimoto, Aomori-shi, Aomori Map
More Details Reservation

One of the attractions of the Tohoku region is its relatively cool climate. However, recent summers in Japan have been extremely hot and humid, so it is essential to take precautions against heat stroke while you’re there, such as using sunshades and staying hydrated. Please be careful and enjoy its summer festivals to the fullest!

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.