A summer festival in Asamushi, with kebito and nebuta brightening the hot spring district
Asamushi Onsen Nebuta Festival
The 2026 edition of Asamushi Onsen Nebuta Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/18 〜 2026/08/14Ended
- Season / frequency
- Usually in mid-July and mid-August / Every year
- Location
- Asamushi Onsen district (from the former Asamushi Elementary School to the area in front of Asamushi-Onsen Station)
- Area
- Aomori Prefecture・Aomori City(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h–3 h 30 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A local summer festival through the streets of Asamushi Onsen, with nebuta floats, haneto dancers, and musicians leading the procession. On some days, costumed kebito join in, and overnight guests and visitors can take part in the festival.
About Asamushi Onsen Nebuta Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: 663highland File:Asamushi Onsen Nebuta Matsuri Aomori Japan11n.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: 663highland File:Asamushi Onsen Nebuta Matsuri Aomori Japan02s3.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: 663highland File:Asamushi Onsen Nebuta Matsuri Aomori Japan06n.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Asamushi Onsen Nebuta Festival is a local nebuta festival that has been held for many years in the Asamushi district of Aomori City.
The festival is distinctive in that the hot spring district becomes its setting, and not only local residents but also overnight guests can join in.
Asamushi Onsen is considered one of the places where nebuta originated, and the festival continues as an event that brings together local life and tourism.
Source: 浅虫ねぶた祭 │ 青森市 / 浅虫温泉ねぶた祭り - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
One highlight is seeing the compact nebuta floats up close, sized to suit the narrow streets of the hot spring district.
The nebuta procession includes floats, haneto dancers, and musicians. On some days, costumed dancers known as kebito also take part.
Enjoy Asamushi’s distinctive atmosphere, where all kinds of costumes mingle with the traditional nebuta outfits.
Source: 浅虫温泉ねぶた祭り｜フォトライブラリー｜【公式】青森県観光情報サイト Amazing AOMORI / 第55回浅虫温泉ねぶた祭｜青森市｜2026 | ニッポン旅マガジン
A summer festival in Asamushi, with kebito and nebuta brightening the hot spring district
What to expect
The procession winds through the hot spring district, led by nebuta floats, followed by dashi floats, haneto dancers, musicians, and others.
According to the 2026 information, the processions started at the former Asamushi Elementary School on the 2 days of July, and at Hotel Akitaya on August 14.
Accommodations offer free loans of nebuta costumes, and those who wish to take part can reserve one through their lodging.
How to take part
This festival is open to visitors who wish to take part.
The 2026 information highlights that visitors can take part as one of the festival’s distinctive features.
Overnight guests may be able to borrow a nebuta costume from their accommodation. If you would like to wear one and join the procession, it’s a good idea to ask your lodging in advance.
If you wish to take part, reserve a Nebuta costume rental through your accommodation.
Nebuta costumes are available to rent at accommodations throughout Asamushi Onsen, but you’ll need to check with each property about how to apply and which dates they offer rentals.
If you only wish to watch, you can view the festival from around the route through the hot spring town.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Asamushi Onsen district (from the former Asamushi Elementary School to the area in front of Asamushi-Onsen Station)
- Train and bus
It is a 5-minute walk from Asamushi-Onsen Station on the Aoimori Railway.
- By car
It is about 8 km from the Aomori-higashi IC on the Aomori Expressway.
Address Asamushi Onsen district, Aomori City
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The announced 2026 dates were July 18 (Saturday), 19 (Sunday), and August 14 (Friday).
On July, the procession was scheduled to start at 6:50 p.m. from the former Asamushi Elementary School; on August 14, it was scheduled to start at 7 p.m. from Hotel Akitaya.
Aomori City’s annual events calendar also lists the Asamushi Nebuta Festival as an event in mid-July and August 14.
Source: 2026年度 四季のイベント情報 │ 青森市
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Aomori Prefecture / Aomori City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The 2026 processions took place on several days, with different starting points and start times in July and August, so check the information for each procession date when deciding when to visit.
If you would like to borrow a costume and take part, you need to make a reservation through your accommodation.
Events may be changed or canceled, so it’s a good idea to check the latest event information before setting out.
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Photo source ·Origins and History of Asamushi Onsen Nebuta Festival
Asamushi Onsen is considered one of the places where nebuta originated.
The Asamushi Nebuta Festival is said to have reached its 50th annual edition in 2019 and has continued as a local procession.
Views on its origins include the idea that it was the birthplace of modern Aomori Nebuta, as well as accounts linking it to old legends and lantern events; no single origin story explains it all.
Official information
Information on the venue and dates is available on Aomori City’s “Asamushi Nebuta Festival” page.
The official Asamushi Onsen website is also listed as a source of information.
For inquiries, contact the Asamushi Nebuta Festival Executive Committee (tel. 017-752-3250).
Asamushi Onsen Nebuta Festival at a Glance
The Asamushi Onsen Nebuta Festival is a local festival in Aomori City, with nebuta floats proceeding through the hot spring district alongside haneto dancers, musicians, and kebito.
The 2026 schedule listed processions on July 18 and 19, and on August 14. The procession starts at the former Asamushi Elementary School or Hotel Akitaya.
Visitors can also take part, joining the festival procession in costumes borrowed from their accommodation.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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