Akita Kanto Festival 秋田竿燈まつり

One of the three main festivals in the region, the Akita Kanto Matsuri is held in early August each year. This summer festival is held to pray for a good harvest of the five grains: wheat, rice, beans, foxtail millet and Chinese millet. The festival is believed to date back to the 17th century.

Akita City is easily accessible by train and bus from neighboring areas and cities in the region.

The festival is held between Nichomebashi Bridge and the Sanno Jujiro Crossroads. Nichomebashi Bridge is about ten minutes on foot from Akita Station, which can be reached from Tokyo by the JR Akita Shinkansen.

Using only their hips, shoulders or foreheads, young people wearing traditional festival garb take turns hoisting up twelve-meter-high bamboo poles decorated with 46 paper lanterns and shreds of paper, all secured by bamboo sticks. They then parade through the town to the sound of flutes and drums, all the while shouting with enthusiasm and ensuring that the light in the lanterns does not go out.

Through hoisting up the heavy poles, it is said that evil spirits are driven away, and people can offer prayers to Shinto and Buddhist gods. The poles can weigh up to 50 kilograms and are shaped like the ears of rice plants, thereby supporting prayers for a good harvest.

Stay after the main performance for a short talk session led by the performers in which they explain how they manage the poles. You can also pose for photos, and try hoisting one up.

The latest information may differ, so please check the official website