World Yabusame Championship 2017

World Yabusame Championship 2017
(formerly part of the "Towada Horse Festa")
第三回 世界流鏑馬選手権 (Sekai Yabusame Senshuken)
Official Website (Japanese): http://towada-yabusame.com/koma/

Yabusame (horseback archery) competition in Towada City!

Date: October 14-15, 2017
Time: 9:30-15:00
Location: Towada Central Park (Chuo Koen) 十和田市中央公園緑地 (map)
Admission: Free

Inaoi River Lantern Floating 2017

Inaoi River Lantern Floating 2017
稲生川灯ろう流し (Inaoigawa Tourou Nagashi)

During the Bon Festival period in Japan, people return to their family homes to pay their respects at family altars/graves. It is believed that ancestors/deceased relatives return to "visit" during this period. Tourou Nagashi (floating lanterns down rivers) is a common event toward the end of the Bon Festival period. The lanterns are believed to help guide the souls of ancestors back to the after life/spirit world. People often write wishes on the lanterns.

Date: Wednesday August 16, 2017
Time: 19:00-19:45
Location: Inaoi River 1st West Bridge 稲生川第一西裏橋 (map)
Admission: Free
(Lanterns available for purchase, but homemade lanterns (less than 1m in size) are welcome!)

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

Okutsugaru Mushi to Hi Matsuri 2017

Okutsugaru Mushi to Hi Matsuri (Insect & Fire Festival)
奥津軽虫と火まつり
Official Website (Japanese): http://goshogawarajc.com/matsuri/

This is a festival to ward off insects that harm the rice fields. It originated from "mushi okuri"(literally "sending off (driving away) insects"). Large "insects" with wooden heads and straw bodies were paraded down the street and then hung up at the entry points to the village to ward off insects. From 1983, the city decided to combine the mushi okuri festival with "fire"--another powerful symbol for warding off bad things--to give birth to the Mushi to Hi Matsuri.

Date: Saturday, June 17, 2017
Time: 18:00-21:00
Location:Goshogawara City Hokuto Ground 五所川原市北斗グラウンド (map)
Parade Route & Road Closure Map
(Blue = Parade Route; Red = Road Closures)

Admission: Free
Events/Attractions:

• 9:00-18:00 "Mushi Okuri" Float Displays
  (In front of Goshogawara Station (map) & Tachineputa No Yakata (Tachineputa Museum) (map))
• "Mushi Okuri" Float Parade
• Bonfires
• & More!

Goshogawara City Hokuto Ground 五所川原市 北斗グラウンド


More Information:
Official Website (Japanese): http://goshogawarajc.com/matsuri/
Okutsugaru Sightseeing Website, "The festival 'Mushito Himatsuri'" (English): http://www.okutsugaru.com/e/shichoubetu/goshogawara/mushitohimatsuri.html

Hirosaki Apple Blossom Festival 2017

Hirosaki Apple Blossom Festival 2017
弘前りんご花まつり (Hirosaki Ringo Hana Matsuri)

Enjoy the sight of apple blossoms blooming with snow-capped Mount Iwaki in the background.

Date: May 6-14, 2017
Time: 10:00-21:00
Location: Hirosaki Apple Park 弘前りんご公園 (map)
Admission: Free (some paid events)

Shichinohe Hina Doll Festival 2017

7th Annual Shichinohe Hina Doll Festival 2017
第7回しちのへひなまつり (Shichinohe Hina Matsuri)

Hina Doll and other decorations displayed in various shops along the Shichinohe Central Shopping Arcade.

Date: April 21-23, 2017
Time: 10:00-15:00
Location: Shichinohe Central Shopping Arcade 七戸中央商店街 (map)
Admission: Free

Niogataki Waterfall Ice Festival 2017

Niogataki Waterfall Ice Festival 2017
乳穂ヶ滝氷祭 (Niogakati Koori Matsuri)

The 33m Niogataka Waterfall has frozen over in the winter since the olden days. The size and shape of the frozen falls is said to reflect whether the year's harvest will be rich or poor. The festival features Shinto prayers and ritual divinations, live performances, and more.

*Depending on weather conditions, the falls might not be frozen, so please check/inquire ahead of time if necessary.*

(Photo Source: aptinet)

Date: Sunday February 19, 2017
Time: 11:00-14:00
Location: Niogataki Waterfall 乳穂ヶ滝 (map)
Admission: Free

Sawada Candle Festival 2017

Sawada Candle Festival 2017
沢田ろうそくまつり (Sawada Rousoku Matsuri)

A festival with over 450 years of history. Candles are lit on the eve of Koshougatsu (小正月 - January 15 of the old lunar calendar) and the following day the candle drippings are used to predict fortunes for the new year (harvest &etc.)

Date: Saturday February 11, 2017
Time: 18:00-21:00
Location: Sawada Jinmeiguu Shrine "Iwayadou" 沢田神明宮「岩谷堂」(map)
Admission: Free

Tsugaru-nuri Lacquerware Fair

Tsugaru-nuri Lacquerware Fair
第20回 津軽塗フェア (Tsugaru-nuri Fair)

An event showcasing Aomori's traditional lacquerware, Tsugaru-nuri.

(Photo Source: http://www.tsugarunuri.org/)

Date: November 3-6, 2016
Time: 9:30-17:30 (～16:30 November 6 only)
Location: Hirosaki City Kankokan 弘前市立観光館 (map)
Admission: Free

Mutsu People's Culture Festival 2016

Mutsu People's Culture Festival 2016
第47回むつ市民文化祭 (Mutsu Shimin Bunkasai)

A festival showcasing local arts and culture groups. Enjoy art/craft displays, performances, and more!

Date: October 28-November 6, 2016
Time: 10:00～
Location: Shimokita Bunka Kaikan 下北文化会館 (map)
Admission: Free

Tohoku Town Industry & Culture Festival 2016

Tohoku Town Industry & Culture Festival 2016
東北町生き活き産業文化まつり (Tohoku-machi Iki Iki Sangyou Bunka Matsuri)

A festival celebrating the local industries & products, as well as the local cultural & arts groups in Tohoku Town.

Date: November 5-6, 2016
Time: 9:00-15:00
Location(s):

Tohoku Venue: North Tohoku Sports Park 北総合運動公園 (map)
Kamikita Venue: Townspeople's Culture Center, etc. 町民文化センター他 (map)

Admission: Free

Itayanagi Townspeople's Performing Arts Festival 2016

Itayanagi Townspeople's Performing Arts Festival 2016
第43回町民祭　町民芸能発表会 (Chouminsai Choumin Geinou Happyoukai)

A festival showcasing the various performing arts groups in Itayanagi Town.

Date: Sunday November 20, 2016
Time: 9:20～ (doors open 9:00)
Location: Itayanagi Town Multi-Purpose Hall "Apple"
板柳町役場 多目的ホールあぷる(map)
Admission: Free

Hacchi Market 2016

Hacchi Market 2016
はっち市2016 (Hacchi Ichi)

A three-day arts and crafts market, including workshops, performances, and food booths at Hachinohe Portal Museum Hacchi.

Date: November 18-20, 2016
Time:

November 18: 12:00-20:00
November 19: 10:00-18:00
November 20: 10:00-17:00

Location: Hachinohe Portal Museum Hacchi 八戸ポータルミュージアムはっち (map)
Admission: Free (some paid events)

Rokkasho Villagers' Culture Festival

Rokkasho Villagers' Culture Festival
第41回六ヶ所村　村民文化祭 (Rokkasho-mura Sonmin Bunkasai)

A festival showcasing local music, arts, and culture groups.

Date: October 29-30, 2016
Time: 9:00-16:00
Location: Rokkasho Cultural Exchange Plaza Swany
六ヶ所村文化交流プラザ　スワニー (map)
Admission: Free

Oirase Town Lifelong Learning Festival "Everyone's Festa" 2016

Oirase Town Lifelong Learning Festival "Everyone's Festa 2016"
おいらせ町生涯学習フェスティバル　みんなのフェスタ２０１６
(Oirase-cho Shougaigakushuu Festival Minna no Festa)

A festival showcasing various cultural, music &etc. groups in Oirase Town.

Date: October 22-23, 2016
Time: 9:00-16:00
Location: Oirase Chomin Koryu Center おいらせ町民交流センター (map)
Admission: Free

Towada People's Culture Festival 2016

Towada People's Culture Festival 2016
第47回　十和田市民文化祭 (Towada Shimin Bunkasai)

A festival of performances and displays showcasing the various arts and cultural groups/clubs in Towada.

Date: November 5-6, 2016
Time: 10:00-17:00 (～16:00 on November 6)
Location: Towada Shimin Bunka Center (十和田市民文化センター) (map)
Admission: Free

Sanmaru Jomon Days 2016

Sanmaru Jomon Days 2016
さんまる縄文の日 (Sanmaru Jomon no Hi)

Sanmaru Jomon Days encompasses three events held at Sannai Maruyam Site annually in September: Jomon Festival, Aomori Traditional Performing Arts Festival & Workshops, and Feel the Roots.

Jomon Festival 2016
縄文大祭典 (Jomon Taisaiten)

A festival celebrating Jomon history and culture.

Oma Tuna Day & Super Tuna Festival 2016

Oma's "Sunday is Tuna Day" 2016
日曜日はマグロだDay (Nichiyoubi wa Maguro da Day)

Oma is renowned throughout Japan for its high quality and bluefin tuna.  The world's most expensive tuna (sold in January 2013 at the Tsukuji Fish Market auction for 155.4 million yen, or about 1.8 million US dollars) came from Oma.

On Sundays throughout September and October in Oma, you can watch tuna carving demonstrations and also purchase a meal made with the freshly carved tuna.

Date: September 4, 11, 17-18, 25 & October 2, 9, 16, 23, 2016
Time: Morning Session: 9:30～; Afternoon Session: 12:15～
Location: Omakou Tokusetsu Kaijou (Kyuurei) 大間港特設会場 (キュウレイ）(map)
Admission: FREE

Aomori Rakuichirakuza 2016

Aomori Rakuichirakuza 2016 AOMORI楽市楽座
Event Facebook Page (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/aomorirakuichirakuza/

This year's theme is "Let's dance with masks!" Everyone is invited to make masks and do a Bon Odori dance with tengu (a Japanese supernatural creature or Shinto god).

Date: Saturday September 10, 2016
Time: 11:00-20:30
Location: Utō Shrine 善知鳥神社 (map)
Admission: Free