Written with jumps, lifts, and wishes! Japan's three most distinctive summer festivals

Japan's summer is not just fireworks and yukata; behind the festivals are stories! Japan's summer has never been just about watching fireworks and eating shaved ice. For many regions, summer festivals are a yearly spiritual ritual, community mobilization, and cultural heritage. From ancient times of warding off evil spirits and praying for blessings during farming to modern local revitalization, each festival carries the meaning of "why here, why do it this way."

Especially in the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions, some festivals have evolved into unique cultural symbols. Some are giant lanterns that dazzle the streets with sound and light, some are balancing acts that lift ten-meter-high lantern poles with extreme skill, and others are colorful strips of paper with wishes for summer hanging all over the streets.

In this article, we highlight three vibrant, visually stunning summer festivals, each with its own traditional significance. If you want a summer experience that goes beyond just taking photos and enjoying the lively atmosphere, and instead deeply immerses you in Japanese culture, these three festivals are definitely worth including in your itinerary.

Aomori Nebuta Festival | Parade of Human-shaped Lanterns, a Moving Art in the City

The main feature of the Aomori Nebuta Festival is the Nebuta, a symbol originating from tradition to ward off evil spirits and laziness. Today, it has transformed into a large-scale lantern art parade: handcrafted paper lantern dolls several stories high, pushed through the streets by hundreds of people, accompanied by drums, flutes, and shouts, jumping and shouting all the way, creating a thunderous atmosphere.

What’s special is that the “jumpers” in the parade invite spectators to join. Just rent a costume on-site and learn a few simple steps, and you can jump into the festival, burning the summer night with locals.

Niigata Tanabata Festival | Walk into a Colorful Street of Paper Decorations and Wishes

If you want to experience the traditional beauty of Japan’s Tanabata in tranquility, visit Gosen Hachimangu Shrine, the former site of Gosen Castle. The “Milky Way Tour” held here is Gosen’s summer festival, cleverly blending star-wishing and the unique wind chime culture. The shrine displays about 5,000 wind chimes collected from across Japan and around the world, which carry the memories of recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake. Their crisp sounds bring a cool and comforting touch to summer.

During the event, special goshuin (temple stamps) are available for collection, and the lively Hachimangu Market offers local food and experiences. This journey allows you to escape the hustle and bustle and feel the unique summer emotions woven from stars, wind chimes, and history.

Akita Kanto Festival | Lighting Up the Night Sky with a Skillful Challenge

The main feature of this festival is the Kanto, a tall pole decorated with lanterns, reaching up to 12 meters and weighing over 50 kilograms. Participants must stand the Kanto on their palms, foreheads, shoulders, or hips, maintaining balance while walking. It’s not just a performance but a challenge of extreme skill and mental focus!

When hundreds of Kanto are raised simultaneously at night, swaying and glowing in the darkness, combined with festival music and cheers, the entire city seems to become a sea of dancing lights—one of the most iconic scenes of summer in the Tohoku region.

This summer, experience a different kind of festival! These three festivals are not only unique but also carry deep connections to Japan’s seasons, beliefs, land, and community. What you will see is not just a performance but a way of “remembering culture with your body” together. So this summer, don’t just stay at popular tourist spots. Consider planning a trip to a local festival, see the sweating participants, and the wishes lighting up the night sky. Embrace the true rhythm of summer that belongs to Japan!