Festivals
From Akita Wiki
These are festivals that take place all over Akita. If you know of a festival in your town that isn't listed here, please add it. See also our video introduction to some of Akita's best festivals.
Spring (March-May)
| Festival name | Description | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nagasaka Inari Shrine Festival (長坂稲荷神社ぼんでん祭り) |
Festival dedicated to asking various wishes (ie Household safety) to the shrine. Website | Second Sunday in March | Ouchi, Yurihonjō |
| Matobi (万灯火) |
A festival that lights fires at night in various different shapes | Day of Setsubun* | Kamikoani, Kitaakita |
| Kite Flying Comptition (凧揚げ大会) |
Third Sunday in March | Yuzawa | |
| New Collection Fireworks Display (新作花火コレクション) |
End of March | Daisen | |
| Kawabata Daruma Festival (川反ダルマまつり) |
Festival dedicated to some type of protection against the cold. | April 12-13 | Akita City |
| Katakuri Violet Flower Festival (かたくりの花まつり) |
Website | Mid to end of April | Nishiki, Semboku |
| Senshu Park Cherry Blossom Festival (千秋公園桜まつり) |
Mid to end of April | Akita City | |
| Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival (角館さくらまつり) |
Website | Mid April to early May | Kakunodate, Semboku |
| Misaki Park Flower Festival (三崎公園花まつり) |
Mid April to early May | Kisakata, Nikaho | |
| Kimimachizaka Park Cherry Blossom Festival (きみまち坂公園さくら祭り) |
Website | End of April | Futatsui, Noshiro |
| Japanese National Flower Park Blossom Festival (日本国花苑さくらまつり) |
Website | End of April to early May | Ikawa |
| Sashimaki Wetland Mizubasho Flower Festival (刺巻湿原水ばしょうまつり) |
Mid April to early May | Tazawako, Semboku | |
| Numa Iri Festival (沼入りぼんでん) |
People going into a lake and raising a pole | May 1 | Yokote |
| Akita Inu Preservation Exhibition (秋田犬保存会本部展覧会) |
Akita Inu Preservation Exhibition | May 3 | Ōdate |
| Gannin Odori (願人踊り) |
A special dance probably based on farming customs. Website | May 5 | Hachirōgata |
| Oga Tai Festival (男鹿の鯛祭り) |
A festival in Oga for a delicious fish called Tai. Website | May 15 - June 30 | Oga |
| Sakura and Flower Petal Festival (桜と菜の花祭り) |
Sakura and Flower watching. Website | Mid-May | Ōgata |
| Yomemi Festival (中の申祭（嫁見祭り）) |
Watching women dressed as brides walking around town. Website | Mid-May | Noshiro |
| Senshu Park Azelea Festival 千秋公園つつじまつり |
Mid to end of May | Akita City |
Summer (June-August)
Akita City Kanto Lantern Festival
Kakunodate Festival
Tsuchizaki Float Festival
| Festival name | Description | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akasia Festival (アカシアまつり) |
A festival with various different events including fishing competitions, drumming, and man powered carts. Website | June (2nd Saturday and Sun. in June) |
Kosaka |
| Chokai Kogen Family Adventure! (高原ファミリーアドベンチャー) |
Family Fun on a mountain Website | June (2nd Sun. in June) |
Yurihonjō |
| Araya Kashima Festival (新屋鹿島まつり) |
Floats going around Araya Website | June (2nd Sun. in June) |
Akita City |
| Komachi Festival (小町まつり) |
A town festival which includes traditional dances, Yosakoi dance, Taiko Drumming, and various competitons. Probably just to make people happy and celebrate the summer. Website | June (2nd Sun. in June) |
Yuzawa |
| Ichigami Festival (市神祭) |
A festival dedicated to the city's 500 year old guardian spirit.Website | June (Mid-June) |
Gojōme |
| Cherry Festival (さくらんぼまつり) |
Website | June (Mid-June to mid-July) |
Jumonji, Yokote |
| Kashima Nagashi (鹿島流し) |
A float drifting down a river Website | June 27 | Omagari, Daisen |
| Asamai Park Iris Festival (浅舞公園あやめまつりし) |
Akita fan website | June (End of June to start of July) |
Hiraka, Yokote |
| Yatose (Modern Dance) Festival (ヤートセ秋田祭り) |
A Dance Festival in order to raise spirits during the summer. Website | June (Last Saturday and Sun. in June) |
Kawabata, Akita City |
| Ushinori - Kumomai (牛乗り・くも舞い) |
A tanabata Festival with a twist! Website | July 7 | Katagami and (?) Oga .... the location is behind Toko Elementary School |
| Kyowa Tanabata Fireworks (協和七夕花火) |
Website |
July (Start of July) |
Semboku |
| Kyuhan Festival (旧藩祭) |
Town/Shrine Festival which displays local dances. Website | July (2nd Saturday and Sun. in July) |
Yurihonjō |
| Tsuzuriko Taiko Drum Festival (綴子大太鼓) |
Website | July 14 & 15 | Kitaakita |
| Towada Lake Festival (十和田湖湖水まつり) |
Festival with various activities including dance, fireworks, live performances, and boat rides.Website | July (3rd Saturday and Sun. in July) |
Kosaka |
| Tsuchizaki Port Festival (土崎港曳山まつり) |
A town festival that involves locals dragging huge wagon things called dashi all over the town. Website | July 20-21 | Tsuchizaki, Akita City |
| Junsai (Slimy Vegetable) Festival (じゅんさい祭り) |
July (Mid-July) |
Mitane | |
| Hachirogata Water Festival (八郎湖ウォーターフェスティバル) |
Website | July (End of July) |
Hachirōgata |
| Tazawako Festival (田沢湖祭り) |
Website | July (4th Saturday and Sun. in July) |
Tazawako, Semboku |
| Oriwatari Jizoson Festival (折渡地蔵尊まつり) |
Website | July (July 24) |
Yurihonjō |
| Honjo River Matsuri Fireworks Competition (本荘川まつり花火大会) |
Website | July (Last Saturday and Sun. in July) |
Yurihonjō |
| Omono River Ikada kudari Competition (雄物川筏下り大会) |
Website | July (End of July) |
Akita City |
| World Solar Car Rally (ワールド・ソーラーカー・ラリー) |
July (End of July) |
Ōgata | |
| Miyazawa Coast Sunset Festival (宮沢海岸夕日フェスティバル) |
End of July | Oga | |
| Sand Sculpture Festival (サンドクラフト) |
http://www.akitafan.com/sightseeing/detail.html?data_id=1051 | End of July start of Aug | Hachiryū, Mitane |
| Mikoshi no Taki Abi (みこしの滝浴び) |
Loads of villagers carry afloat on their backs to a waterfall where they bathe the god under the falling waters. | August 1 | Happō |
| Noshiro Nebunagashi (能代ねぶ流し) |
August 3-4, 6-7 | Noshiro | |
| Kanto Lantern Festival (竿燈まつり) |
Akita's Largest festival. Thousands of people gather ever year to see the people of Akita city hoist up giant racks of lantern weighing up to 50kg in a prayer for a good harvest. Website | August 3-6 | Akita City |
| Sennin Shyugyo (仙人修行) |
Fri., Sat., and Sundays before August 10 | Higashinaruse | |
| Tanabata Picture Lantern Festival (七夕絵どうろうまつり) |
August 5-7 | Yuzawa | |
| Futatsui Akita Cedar Festival (秋田杉の里ニツ井まつり) |
August 4-7 | Noshiro | |
| Hanawa Nebuta Festival (花輪ねぶた) |
August 7-8 | Kazuno | |
| Kiyomizu Festival (清水まつり) |
1st Saturday in August | Misato | |
| Kosaka Tanabata Matsuri (小坂七夕まつり ) |
1st Sat. and Sun. in August | Kosaka | |
| Large Fireworks Competition (大花火大会) |
August 8 | Yuzawa | |
| Omono River Fireworks (雄物川花火大会) |
August 10 | Akita City | |
| Aikawa Matobi (合川まと火) |
August 14 | Kitaakita | |
(ハタハタの里ブリコ祭り) |
August 15 | Happō | |
| Oyu Large Drum Festival (大湯大太鼓まつり) |
August 15 | Kazuno | |
| 送り盆まつり（屋形舟） | August 15-16 | Yokote | |
| きゃどっこ祭り | August 15-16 | Gojōme | |
| Daimonji Traditional Festival 大文字まつり・大文字焼き |
August 16 | Ōdate | |
| Hachiryu Festival (八郎まつり) |
A festival in which locals carry a huge dragon around town. Its to honor the dragon spirit protecting the lake.Website | August 16 | Showa, Katagami |
| ふるさと岩見川清流まつり | 2nd Sat. and Sun. in August | Akita City | |
| Nishimonai Obon Odori Traditional Dance Festival (西馬音内盆踊り) |
August 16-18 | Ugo | |
| Donpan Traditional Arts Festival (ドンパン祭り) |
August 16 | Daisen | |
| Hitoichi Obon Odori Traditional Dance Festival (一日市盆踊り) |
August 18-20 | Hachirōgata | |
| Hanawa Bayashi Festival (花輪ばやし) |
Website | August 19-20 | Kazuno |
| Kemanai Obon Odori Traditional Dance Festival (毛馬内盆踊り) |
August 21-23 | Kazuno | |
| All Japan Fireworks Festival (全国花火競技大会) |
Omagari's famous fireworks competition that people from all around japan flock to see. During the competition the town's population swells over tenfold. | 4th Sat. in August | Daisen |
| 大名行列 | 4th Sun. in August | Yuzawa |
Autumn (September-November)
| Festival name | Description | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 十和田湖国境祭 | First Saturday and Sunday in September | Kosaka | |
| Onagori Last of the Summer Festival
おなごりフェステバル |
Second Saturday in September | Noshiro | |
| 八朔まつり | Second Saturday and Sunday in September | Yurihonjō | |
| Komaodori Festival
駒踊り |
This traditional dance of the Fujikoto area involves two teams of dancing men. Wearing armor with fake horses, the men of the town dance from early in the day to late at night in order to usher in a good harvest. | September 7th (night) and September 8th (All day) | Fujisato |
| Kakunodate Traditional Festival
角館祭りのやま行事 |
Huge floats, called 'hikiyama', are pulled across Kakunodate in this 350-year-old festival. Famous for 'yama butsuke' on the final night, when pairs of floats crash together for hours at a time to negotiate right-of-way in Kakunodate's narrow streets. | September 7-9 | Kakunodate, Semboku |
| Shinmeisha Festival
大館神明社例祭余 |
Odate Shinmeisha Shrine honors the guardian deity of Odate City. During the reign of the Satake Clan in Odate Castle, the clan’s patron god was also given a place in the shrine. For over 400 years, the festival has given thanks to the local deity and asked for an abundant harvest and continued prosperity. Citizens parade around the city chanting iyasaka—prosperity in Japanese— and pulling elaborate floats. | September 10-11 | Odate |
| 金沢神社の掛け唄大会 | September 14(night)-15(morning) | Yokote | |
| 全日本野鯉・鮒釣り大会 | Third Saturday and Sunday in September | Hachirōgata | |
| 院内銀山まつり | September 21 | Yuzawa | |
| Obonaibushi National Folk Singing Competition
生保内節全国大会 |
September 22 and 23 | Tazawako, Semboku | |
| Kosaka Wine Festival
小坂ワイン祭り |
Third Sunday in September | Kosaka | |
| Sannai Imonoko Festival
山内いものこまつり |
Eat imonoko soup and watch the imonoko pyramid-building contest. | Third Sunday in September | Sannai, Yokote |
| 寒風山まつり | September 23 and the closest Sunday | Oga | |
| Kikuningyo Chrysantheum Doll Festival
菊人形まつり |
October 10 to November 10 | Akita Furusatomura, Yokote | |
| 本場大館きりたんぽまつり | Second Saturday and Sunday in October | Ōdate | |
| Amasagi Wine Festival
あまさぎワインまつり |
Mid October | Iwaki Town, Yurihonjō | |
| Jumbo Usagi Giant Rabbit Festival
全国ジャンボうさぎフェスティバル |
Late October | Daisen | |
| 霜月神楽 | November 7(night)-8(morning) | Yokote | |
| All Japan Gotenmari Bauble Contest
全国ごてんまりコンクール |
Start of November | Honjō, Yurihonjō |
Winter (December-February)
River Crossing Bonden Festival
| Festival name | Description | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Namahage Festival
(なまはげ) |
December 31 | Oga | |
| 大日堂舞楽 | January 2 | Kazuno | |
| Newcomers Music festival
(大曲新人音楽祭) |
Held annually around the start of January at the Omagari Community Hall in Omagari-Hinodecho. This competition draws interest from all over Japan for two shows, the preliminary heat and the main performance of young up and coming Classical musicians. | 2nd Saturday in January | Daisen |
| 才の神焼き | January 15 | Yurihonjō | |
| 新山神社裸まいり | Third Sunday in January | Yurihonjō | |
| 三吉ぼんでん祭り | January 17 | Akita City | |
| Hinai Chicken Festival
(比内とりの市) |
Last Saturday and Sunday in January | Hinai Town, Ōdate | |
| ゆきとぴあ七曲 | Last Saturday and Sunday in January | Ugo | |
| Shirase Cup Dog Show
(白瀬カップ全国犬ぞり大会) |
Last Saturday and Sunday in January | Nikaho | |
| 掛魚まつり | February 4 | Nakaho | |
| Kamifusen Paper Balloon Festival
(紙風船上げ) |
February 10 | Nishiki, Semboku | |
| Kariwano Giant Tug of War
(刈和野の大綱引き) |
Tug of war between the two sides of town. It is said that if the North side win, the price of rice will go up; if the South side win, there will be a good harvest. Grab some gloves and join in! | February 10 | Daisen |
| 大湯温泉雪まつり | February 10-11 | Kazuno | |
| Amekko Candy Festival
(アメッコ市) |
Second Saturday and Sunday in February | Ōdate | |
| Namahage Festival
(なまはげ柴灯まつり) |
Namahage come down from the mountain to terrify local children. Also features a namahage taiko performance. | Second weekend in February (Fri-Sun) | Oga |
| Inukko Snow Dog Festival
(犬っこまつり) |
Second Saturday and Sunday in February | Yuzawa | |
| Shigakko Ice Festival
(しがっこまつり) |
Second Saturday and Sunday in February | Yuzawa | |
| Hiburi Kamakura
(火振りかまくら) |
Fire-swinging festival. The 13th is the biggest day of the festival, held at 桜並木駐車場 (the big car park by the river) with fire-swinging and fireworks. The 14th takes place in individual neighborhoods. | February 13-14 | Semboku |
| Rokugo Kamakura Takeuchi Bamboo Pole Fighting Festival
(六郷のかまくら[竹打ち]) |
The bamboo pole fight takes place on the final day (the 15th). | February 11-15 | Misato |
| Kamakura Igloo Festival
(かまくら雪まつり) |
Eat grilled mochi and drink amazake inside igloos, 6-9pm. There is also a 'pre-Kamakura' festival on the 14th. Free shuttle bus available near City Hall to take you to the castle. | February 15-16 | Yokote |
| Yokote Bonden Festival
(旭岡山神社ぼんでん) |
The Bonden parade/contest is held on the 16th near City Hall (9:30~). On the 17th, the Bondens are carried to a shrine (10:00~) | February 16-17 | Yokote |
| River-crossing Bonden Festival
(川を渡るぼんでん) |
February 17 | Daisen | |
| 太田の火まつり | Mid-February | Daisen | |
| Water-throwing Festival
(梨木水かぶり) |
Third Sunday in February | Jumonji, Yokote | |
| Tazawako Snow Festival
(田沢湖高原雪まつり) |
Features mini-versions of various winter festivals from around Akita. | Fourth weekend in February | Tazawako Ski Area, Semboku |
| Lake Towada "Winter Story"
(十和田湖冬物語) |
Beautiful snow sculptures, snow slides or rides, fireworks, great traditional Japanese music, hot wine, a cool bar inside a kamakura, and more!
Weekdays, 15:00-21:00, Weekend, 11:00-21:00 Official Japanese Site |
First, Second and Third and Fourth weeks in February | Kosaka |
| ジュネス栗駒雪まつり | Fourth Sunday in February | Higashinaruse |
See also
- Exploring Akita.
- Hanami
- Yurihonjo festivals.
- Events in Akita (Japanese).
- Fuyu Festival Fun. A guide to Akita-ken’s snow-filled celebrations.
| Entertainment in Akita | |
|---|---|
| Sports | Basketball • Bicycling • Cricket • Ground Golf • Running • Skiing and snowboarding • Soccer |
| Martial Arts | Judo • Karatedo • Kendo • Kyudo • Naginatado • Sado |
| Outdoors | Camping • Hanami • Hiking/Climbing • Rafting • Shrines and Temples • Waterfalls |
| Food & Drink | Akita beer • Cigar stores • Doburoku • Ramen shops • Sake |
| Leisure | Arcades • Exploring Akita • Festivals • Movies • Museums and zoos • Music festivals • Onsen • Taiko • Watching TV |
