Kamikita Summer Festival 2017

Kamikita Summer Festival 2017
2017 かみきた夏まつり (Kamikita Natsu Matsuri)

A summer festival with something for everyone: a drinking rally, basketball tournaments, festival food and games, and more!

Date: July 1-2, 2017
Time: July 1: 19:00-21:00; July 2: 10:00-17:00
Location: Kamikitacho Station Plaza 上北町駅前広場 (map)
Admission: Free (some paid events)

Misawa Ogawarako Lake Festival 2017

Misawa Ogawarako Lake Festival 2017
みさわ小川原湖　湖水まつり (Misawa Ogawarako Kosui Matsuri)

A festival kicking off the start of summer lake season with performances, a prize draw, and more! Fun for the whole family!

Date: Sunday July 23, 2017
Time: 9:15～
Admission: Free
Location: Misawa City Lake Ogawara 三沢市小川原湖水浴場付近 (map)

Rokunohe Summer Festival 2017

Rokunohe Summer Festival 2017 ろくのへサマーフェスティバル

Enjoy a summer beer garden, BINGO game, stage performances and more!

Date: July 21-22, 2017
Time:

July 21: 17:00-19:00
July 22: 15:00-20:00

Admission: Free (some paid events)
Location: Rokunohe Gymnasium West Side Parking Lot 六戸町総合体育館　西側駐車場 (map)

Towada Summer Festival Fireworks Display 2017

Towada Summer Festival Fireworks Display 2017
十和田市夏まつり第60回花火大会 (Towada-shi natsu matsuri hanabi taikai)

Food stalls and fireworks right in the heart of the city--great chance to wear a yukata (cotton summer kimono)!

Date: Monday August 14 Saturday August 19, September 16, 2017
(*Rain Dates: September 17, 18, 2017*)
Time: 19:00-20:30 (road closures 17:30-21:00)
Location: Kanchogai Street 官庁街通り (map)
Admission: Free
Opening Attraction: 18:30-18:50 Towada Bayashi (Festival Music) Performance

Kanchogai Street 官庁街通り
Nishinibancho (青森県十和田市西二番町)
Towada City, Aomori Prefecture 034-0082


More Information:
Towada Sightseeing Promotion Division (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/十和田市観光推進課-468874536643716/

Romantopia Dance Contest Star Festival in Souma 2017

Romantopia Dance Contest Star Festival in Souma 2017
第17回ロマントピア"舞"コンテスト　星まつりinそうま
(Romantopia "Mai" Contest Hoshi Matsuri in Souma)

A yosakoi dance contest where the winner is determined by attendees!

Date: Sunday July 16, 2017 (Rain or Shine!)
Time: 11:00-17:00
Location: Hoshi to Mori no Romantopia Souma, Hirosaki City
弘前市星　星と森のロマントピア・そうま (map)
Admission: Free

Towada Rock Festival 2017

Towada Rock Festival 2017 十和田ロックフェスティバル
Event Website (Japanese): http://towada-rock-festival.jimdo.com/

Enjoy free performances by musicians from around Aomori Prefecture!

Date: Sunday August 27, 2017
Time: 10:30～
Location: Michi no Eki Towada "Towadapia" 道の駅とわだ　とわだぴあ (map)
Admission: Free
Performers:

• TOKMANZ (Towada) (Facebook)
• Hana Rockets 鼻ロケッツ (Rokunohe)
• Metro Garden 美羅花園ーメトロガーデン (Aomori City) (Facebook)
• Tsushima Kenta ツシマケンタ (Hirosaki) (Website)
• THE TRINITY VOICE (Hachinohe) (Facebook)
• Hanadensha 花電車 (Aomori City)
• Marmalade マーマレード (Misawa)
• Chocoratto 猪虎鼠 (Goshogawara) (Facebook)
• BABY KING BLUES BAND (Tohoku Town) (Facebook)
• TRIAD (Shichinohe)

Michi no Eki Towada "Towadapia" 道の駅とわだ　とわだぴあ
Tairakubo-37-2 Denpōji (青森県十和田市伝法寺平窪３７−２)
Towada City, Aomori Prefecture 034-0051
Tel: 0176-28-3790


More Information:
Event Website (Japanese): http://towada-rock-festival.jimdo.com/
Event Facebook Page (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/Towada-Rock-Festival-1435303880120179/

Goshogawara Tachineputa 2017

Goshogawara Tachineputa 2017 立佞武多

Goshogawara Tachineputa features extremely tall, towering Neputa floats. The average float is 20 metres tall! The oldest records of Tachineputa date back to 1907, but with the increase in electrical power lines during the Taisho Period (1912-1926), the size of the floats had to be scaled back. Then two devastating post-war fires destroyed records and schematics for the large floats and consequently Tachineputa was lost to obscurity until schematics and pictures were found in 1993, enabling the revival of the tradition. But even then it took several years to re-wire the city's power lines to create a safe path for the floats, so the revival of Goshogawara's Tachineputa Festival didn't come about until 1998--nearly 80 years since the last time the event had been held!

Festival "Shout": Yattemare, yattemare!
Dates: August 4-8
Location: Central Goshogawara City (map)
Schedule:

(August 3: Festival Eve: Fireworks (19:30 start))
August 4-8: Night Time Parade (19:00 start)

Admission: Free (paid seating available)

Aomori Nebuta 2017

Aomori Nebuta 2017 青森ねぶた

Aomori Nebuta is one of the most well known Japanese summer festivals both domestically and internationally. In 1980 it was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. Aomori Nebuta floats mostly feature human figures. When they come to an intersection, the floats are spun around at an impressive speed considering their size. Anyone dressed in the appropriate garb (many shops offer costume rental and dressing services) is welcome to join in the jumping and shouting, making Aomori Nebuta a lively and interactive experience.

Festival "Shout": Rassera, rassera!
Dates: August 2-7
Location: Central Aomori City (map)
(Road closures and parking map (Japanese))
Schedule: 

(August 1: Festival Eve: Performances (18:00 start)
     Fireworks (19:00 start))
August 2-3: Children's Neputa & Large Floats (19:10 start)
August 4-6 Large Floats (19:10 start)
August 7: Daytime Large Floats Parade (13:00 start)
     Fireworks & Boat Parade (19:15 start)

Admission: Free (paid seating available)

Hirosaki Neputa 2017

Hirosaki Neputa 2017 弘前ねぷた

Hirosaki Neputa features fan-shaped with illustrations representing images and themes from Chinese literature such as The Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin. There is often nudity and/or grotesque images such as severed heads and bloodied people depicted on Hirosaki Neputa. The often darker tone and relatively smaller size of the floats, as well as the strong involvement of community groups in the making of the floats as well as in participating in the parade itself give Hirosaki Neputa an intimate feeling that belies the size of the event.

Festival "Shout": Yayado, yayado!
Dates: August 1-7
Location: Central Hirosaki (map) Schedule: 

August 1-4: Dotemachi Course (19:00 start)
August 5-6: Ekimae Course (19:00 start)
August 7: Nanuka-bi (Final Day) Dotemachi Nanuka-bi Course (10:00 start)

Admission: Free (paid seating available)

Hachinohe Sansha Taisai 2017

Hachinohe Sansha Taisai 2017
2017 八戸三社大祭 (Hachinohe Three Shrine Grand Festival)

Although perhaps not quite as well known as the Nebuta/Neputa festivals of Aomori, Hirosaki, and Goshogawara, Hachinohe's Sansha Taisai is another famous summer festival in Aomori. It has a history of over 290 years and was recognized in 2004 as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. In 2016 it was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

It is a festival for 3 major Shinto shrines in Hachinohe, Ogami Shrine (おがみ神社), Shinra Shrine (新羅神社), and Shinmei Shrine (神明宮). The festival features a parade of 27 large dashi floats, mikoshi (portable shrines) from the 3 shrines, and Toramai tiger dancing, etc., as well as other events such as Kagami-style Kiba Dakyu (a polo-like horseback sport).

All-Japan University & High School Sumo Tournaments in Towada 2017

All-Japan University & High School Sumo Tournaments in Towada 2017
第52回全日本大学選抜相撲十和田大会 & 第66回選抜高校相撲十和田大会
(Nihon Daigaku Senbatsu Sumo Towada Taikai & Senbatsu Koukou Sumo Towada Taikai)

Cheer on local Sanbongi Agricultural High School sumo wrestlers and other young wrestlers at the All-Japan Sumo Tournaments in Towada City.

Date/Time:

• Sunday August 14, 2017, 9:00～ - University Sumo
• Monday August 15, 2017, 8:30～ - High School Sumo/li>

Location: Towada Sumo Dohyo 十和田市相撲場 (map)

Children's Hip Hop Paradise 2017

Children's Hip Hop Paradise 2017
こどもヒップホップパラヂアス (Kodomo Hip Hop Paradise)
Event Website (Japanese): http://hiphop-towada.net/

Various hip hop performances from nursery school children to high school aged students! Special guest appearance by Towada mascot characters "Towada Families"!

Date: Saturday October 21, 2017
Time: 13:00-15:00 (doors open 12:30)
Location: Towada Shimin Bunka Center, Dai Hall 十和田市民文化センター　大ホール (map)
Admission: Free

Towada Shimin Bunka Center 十和田市民文化センター
2-1 Nishi Sanbancho (十和田市西三番町２－１)
Towada City, Aomori 034-0083


More Information:
Event Website (Japanese): http://hiphop-towada.net/

Towada Samba Carnival 2017

Towada Samba Carnival 2017 十和田サンバカーニバル
Official Website (Japanese): http://sanba-de-samba.net/

A summer event featuring a music festival (music and dance performances, etc.) and samba parade!

Date: Saturday August 5, 2017
Time:

Music Festival: 12:00-16:00
Opening Ceremony: 16:45-17:00
Parade: 17:00-19:00

Location(s):

Music Festival

• Central Parking Lot (in front of Towada City Hall)
  十和田市役所向かい、中央駐車場 (map)
Opening Ceremony

• Intersection in front of Towada Art Center
  現代美術館前交差点
Parade

• Kanchogai Street (from Towada Art Center to Central Parking Lot)
  官庁街通り（現代美術館～中央駐車場)

Admission: Free

Jakkudo Festival 2017

Jakudo Festival 2017
第26回ジャックドまつり (Jakudo Matsuri)
Event Facebook Page (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/Jakkudomatsuri/

Nanbu Town summer festival featuring various performances, food booths, fireworks, and more!

Date: July 8-9, 2017
Time: Jul 8: 13:00～21:00; Jul 9: 9:00～17:30(?)
Location: Fureai Park (Nanbu Town) ふれあい公園 (map)
Admission: Free

Towadako Kosui Matsuri 2017

Towadako Kosui Matsuri 2017 (Lake Towada Lake Festival)
十和田湖湖水まつり 2017
Official Website (Japanese): http://www.kosuimaturi.com/

Fireworks by Lake Towada, performances, and various other events!

Date: July 15-16, 2017 (Sat.-Sun.)
Time: 9:00～21:00
Location: Lake Towada, Yasumiya 十和田湖畔　休屋 (map)
Admission: Free

Hachinohe Fireworks Display 2017

Hachinohe Fireworks Display 2017
第３７回八戸花火大会2017 (Hachinohe Hanabi Taikai)

An impressive fireworks display of about 5000 fireworks against the backdrop of Hachinohe Harbour.

Date: Sunday August 20*, 2017 (*Rain Date: Sunday August 27, 2017*)
Time: 19:00
Location: Hachinohe Tatehana Harbour 八戸館鼻漁港 (map)

Hachinohe Tanabata Festival

Hachinohe Tanabata Festival 2017
八戸七夕まつり (Hachinohe Tanabata Matsuri)
Event Website (Japanese): http://www.8cci.or.jp/tanabata/

Enjoy Tanabata (Star Festival) decorations, performances, and shopping at various street vendors along the streets of Central Hachinohe.

(Photo Source: Japan Attractions)

Date: July 14-17, 2017
Time: 18:00-21:00
Locations: Central Hachinohe 八戸中心街 (Hachinohe Chuushingai), Honchō Minatomachi 湊町本町
Venue & Road Closures Map

More Information: Event Website (Japanese): http://www.8cci.or.jp/tanabata/

Aomori TKG Festival 2017

Aomori Tamago Kake Gohan Matsuri 2017 (Aomori Raw Egg on Rice Festival)
2017 あおもりたまごかけごはんまつり

Tamagao kake gohan ("TKG") is a simple and popular Japanese dish: just crack a raw egg onto a bowl of warm rice and add soy sauce/other condiments to taste. Try TKG with various locally made soy sauces and different types of eggs at the Aomori Tamago Kake Gohan Matsuri.

Date: June 30-July 2, 2017
Location: Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center "Aspam" 1st Floor Event Hall
青森県観光物産館アスパム1階イベントホール (map)
Time: 10:00-15:00
Admission: Free (purchase required for some events)

Towada Summer Dance & Miss Yukata Contest 2017

Towada Summer Dance & Miss Yukata Contest 2017
第10回とわだ夏おどり＆第8回ゆかたの似合う女性コンテスト
(Towada Natsu Odori & Yukata no Niau Josei Contest)

Enjoy dancing various local folk dances in yukata (summer cotton kimono) in Towada Central Park.

Date: Friday August 11, 2016 (Mountain Day Holiday)
Time: 16:00-21:00
Location: Towada Central Park (Chuo Koen) 十和田市中央公園緑地 (map)
Admission: Free

Oirase Roman Park Festival 2017

Oirase Roman Park Festival 2017
奥入瀬ろまんパークフェスティバル 2017

Enjoy various performances, giveaways and more at the Michi Eki Towada "Oirase Roman Park" Festival.

Date: July 1-2, 2017
Time:10:00-17:00 (Sat. Jul. 1); 9:30-17:00 (Sun. Jul. 2)
Location: Oirase Roman Park 奥入瀬ろまんパーク (Map)
Admission: Free

Shiro Fes 2017

Shiro Fes 2017

Hirosaki Dance and Performance Festival

Date: June 30-July 2, 2017
Time:
   Fri. Jun. 30: 16:00-21:30
   Sat. Jul 1: 10:00-21:30
   Sun. Jul 2: 10:30-20:30
Location:
   Jun. 30-Jul.1: Hirosaki University 弘前大学 (map)
   Jul 2: Hirosaki Castle Honmaru 弘前公園本丸敷地内 (map)
Admission: Free* (*events in park paid zone require admission fees)

Kuroishi Neputa Festival 2017

Kuroishi Neputa Festival 2017
黒石ねぷた祭り (Kuroishi Neputa Matsuri)

Two days with parades of about sixty fan-shaped Neputa floats! (The other days of the festival, the floats go around their respective local areas.)

Date: July 30-August 5, 2017
Admission: Free
Location: Various

Goshogawara Fireworks Display 2017

Goshogawara Fireworks Display -Festival of Water, Light & Sound-
第６８回五所川原花火大会 -水と光と音の祭典-
(Goshogawara Hanabi Taikai - Mizu to Hikari to Oto no Saiten)

A fireworks display set to music. The finale features an 80m-wide "water curtain."

Date: Thursday August 3, 2017
Time: 19:30-20:45
Location: Iwaki River Floodplain "Hokuto Ground" 岩木川河川敷「北斗グラウンド」 (map)
Parking: 1,000yen (limited spaces; parking available from 15:00)
Admission: Free (paid seating available)

Sai Sea Urchin Festival 2017

Sai Sea Urchin Festival 2017
佐井村うに祭り (Sai-mura Uni Matsuri)

Enjoy fresh sea urchin on rice for 1000yen.

Date: June 17-18, 2017
Time: 10:00-14:00
(Sea Urchin Rice Bowl Ticket Distribution from 9:00)
Location: Location: Tsugaru Kaikyo Bunkakan Arusasu Shiosai Hall
津軽海峡文化館アルサス しおさいホール (map)

Nango Summer Jazz Festival 2017

Nango Summer Jazz Festival 2017
南郷サマージャズフェスティバル2017
Official Facebook Page: https://ja-jp.facebook.com/NangoJazz

A full day outdoor summer jazz festival. Get food and drinks at the various food stalls available at the venue.

Date: Saturday July 29, 2017 (Rain or Shine!)
Time: 13:00-20:30 (venue opens at 12:00)
Location: Kakko no Mori Ecoland Outdoor Stage カッコーの森エコーランド野外ステージ (Map)
Admission:

• Adult: 6000yen (5000yen advance)
• Junior High-Senior High School Students: 3000yen (2000yen advance)
• Elementary School-Aged & Younger: Free

Niji Rock Fes 2017

Niji Rock Fes 2017
虹の湖ロックフェスティバル2017 (Nijinoko Rock Festival)
Website (Japanese): http://www.nijirockfes.jp/

An outdoor summer rock festival by Nijino Lake with over 20 artists performing!

Date: Saturday August 19, 2017 (Rain or Shine!)
Time: 10:00～
Admission: Free
Location: Michi no Eki "Nijinoko Park" 道の駅「虹の湖公園」(map)

Towada Horseback Riding Club Horse Show 2017

Towada Horseback Riding Club Horse Show 2017
十和田乗馬倶楽部ホースショー2017 (Towada Joba Club Horse Show)

A once-a-year event where you can interact with horses, watch yabusame (horseback archery) and quadrille (choreographed dressage).

Date: Sunday June 18, 2017
Time: 10:00-14:30
Location: Towada Horseback Riding Club Dome Area
十和田乗馬倶楽部 ドーム周辺 (map)
Admission: Free (some paid activities)

Shichinohe Rose Festival 2017

Shichinohe Rose Festival 2017
しちのへバラまつり2017　(Shichinohe bara matsuri)
Official Website (Japanese): https://www.shichinohe-kankou.jp/rose

Enjoy rose flavoured soft serve ice cream while wandering around rose gardens in full bloom.

Date: June 17 - July 9, 2017
Time: 9:00-16:00
Location: Higashi Hakkouda Rose Country 東八甲田ローズカントリー (Map)
Admission: Free

Towada Tanabata Rally 2017

Towada Tanabata Rally 2017　第2回とわだ七夕ラリー

Enjoy a drink at 5 designated bars around Towada and complete the event stamp card within the time limit to be entered into a prize raffle drawing.

Date: Wednesday July 5, 2017
Time: 18:00-20:00 (Registration from 17:00)
Location: Towada Chamber of Commerce & Industry 十和田商工会議所 (map)
Fee: 3000yen (limited number of tickets; if not sold out in advance, at-door tickets will be 3500yen)