Vivinavi : Aomori : (Japan) Aomori

This text has been translated by auto-translation. There may be a slight difference between the original text and the translation. (Original Language: 日本語)

[Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture] The Hirosaki Neputa Festival will be held from Saturday, August 1, 2026 （ to Friday, August 7, 2026 （ ）

The “Hirosaki Neputa Festival,” which brings color to the summer in the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture, is held every year from August 1 ～ to 7, features majestic and magnificent neputa floats depicting scenes from works such as *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* and *Water Margin* as they parade through the castle town of Hirosaki City. Designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan, it is a hallmark of summer in Tsugaru and attracts many tourists from across the country.

It is said that the “Hirosaki Neputa Festival” evolved from an ancient custom called “Nemuri-nagashi” (Sending Sleep Away), in which farmers would place the god of sleep on boats or lanterns and float them down the river to ward off drowsiness during the busy summer farming season.

[Web Page] https://hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/edit.html? id=cat02_summer_neputa

Hirosaki Neputa Festival
Event Overview
Dates ： August 1, 2026 （ Sat ） ～ August 7, 2026 （ Fri ）

Parade Route ・ Start Time August 1 ～ 4: Dotemachi Course 7:00 PM ～

August 5 and 6 Ekimae Route 7:00 PM ～

August 7, Tatemachi Route 10: 00 ～



Why not try participating in the Neputa? ？
At the Hirosaki Neputa Festival, some parade groups allow tourists to participate.

This is a rare opportunity to experience the festival’s excitement and sense of unity while pulling a Neputa float. Please check the official Hirosaki City tourism website for details on how to participate.



[Pilot Program] Hirosaki Neputa Festival Audience Award 2026
August 1, 2026 （ (Sat) ） through August 6 （ (Thu) ）, we will conduct a pilot program to determine the “Audience Award” based on votes cast by festivalgoers.

During the event, you can vote via a QR code for the group ・ whose Neputa paintings or group Neputa you found “the most lively （, moving ・, appealing ・, or impressive ）.”

*Limited to one vote per account.

*Groups participating as special guests or without a preliminary screening are not eligible.

＜ Special Participants ＞ Hirosaki City Hall Neputa Executive Committee, Hirosaki Self-Defense Forces Neputa Cooperation Association, Hirosaki University Neputa Executive Committee

＜ Non-judged ＞ Matsuri Kōkai, Hirosaki Minami Kindergarten (Certified Children’s Center), Hirosaki Neputa Enthusiasts’ Association



“Beautiful Scenes of the Castle Town”
Throughout the city, approximately 240 goldfish neputa were displayed along the Tsuchibuchi River, at the Hirosaki City Hall main building, and other tourist attractions, while 24 “Footlight Neputa” displays are set up in Citizens’ Central Plaza. This initiative, titled “The Beautiful Traditions of the Castle Town,” recreates the custom from the Taisho and Showa periods of decorating eaves with handheld Neputa lanterns.

Furthermore, this year, approximately 30 “Goldfish Lanterns” from Yanai City, Yamaguchi Prefecture—said to have been inspired by Hirosaki’s goldfish neputa—will be on display at the Tsugaru Lounge in JR Hirosaki Station. Visitors can also enjoy comparing them with Hirosaki’s goldfish neputa.

Event Period ： Through Monday, August 31, 2026 （ ）





Konan Railway Ōwani Line Goldfish Neputa Train
A train adorned with approximately 200 goldfish neputa, a magical train
The Konan Railway Owani Line operates the “Goldfish Neputa Train,” decorated with approximately 200 goldfish neputa floats inside the cars.

Saturdays ・ and Sundays ・, as well as on public holidays and during the Hirosaki Neputa Festival, special nighttime illuminated runs are held, with the train operating solely by the light of the goldfish Neputa. Enjoy the enchanting atmosphere inside the train.

Event Period ： Through Monday, August 31, 2026 （ ）

* Please check the current operating status at Chuo-Hirosaki Station or Owani Station on the day of your visit.

[Website] https://konantetsudo.jp/2026/06/19/kingyo-neputa-train202607/


Konan Railway Owani Line Goldfish Neputa Train
About Hirosaki City
Hirosaki City （ Hirosaki ） is located in southwestern Aomori Prefecture and is a city where the history and culture of its development as the castle town of the Hirosaki Domain still thrive.

The city is home to many historical assets, including Hirosaki Castle—the only surviving castle keep in the Tohoku region—as well as streetscapes from the feudal era, Western-style architecture from the Meiji ・ and Taisho periods, and as well as modern architecture by architect ・ Kunio Maekawa.

In addition, festivals celebrating the changing seasons—such as the “Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival” and the “Hirosaki Neputa Festival”—are held here, attracting many tourists from both Japan and abroad.

Agriculture is also thriving, with the region producing a diverse range of agricultural products, including apples—for which it boasts the highest production volume in Japan—as well as rice, （ corn ）, and more.

Furthermore, traditional crafts such as “Tsugaru-nuri” “Tsugaru Kogin Sashi,” and “Tsugaru Forged Cutlery,” making it a region brimming with the charms of history ・, culture ・, nature ・, and cuisine.

[Website] https://www.city.hirosaki.aomori.jp/index.html