A summer neputa festival in Hirosaki, where warrior pictures and festival music bring the castle town to life
Hirosaki Neputa Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year from August 1 to the 7th / Every year
- Area
- Aomori Prefecture・Hirosaki 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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Official website / social media
- Official website
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Hirosaki Neputa Festival is a summer festival in which large and small neputa lanterns bearing warrior pictures make their way through the streets of Hirosaki to the accompaniment of flutes and drums.
About Hirosaki Neputa Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Aoiwaaki File:Hirosaki Neputa Festival 02.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Aoiwaaki File:Hirosaki Neputa Festival 04.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Kaburamata File:Neputa (Hirosaki, Japan).jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Hirosaki Neputa Festival is a summer festival set in the castle town of Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, where large and small neputa lanterns decorated with warrior pictures parade through the streets.
Neputa lanterns come in fan-shaped “ōgi-neputa” and doll-shaped “kumi-neputa” styles, and the festival is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the national government.
Local people take part in the neputa procession and pass on the tradition to the accompaniment of flutes and drums.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the contrast between the bold warrior pictures on the front panels and the pictures on the reverse sides.
The procession begins with small neputa, followed later by large ones measuring over 9 meters.
Along with the movements of the people pushing and pulling the large neputa, the flute and drum music that rings out from behind is another important part of the procession.
Source: 2025年 弘前ねぷたまつり｜弘前市観光情報サイト きてみて、ひろさき。ここみて、弘前
A summer neputa festival in Hirosaki, where warrior pictures and festival music bring the castle town to life
What to expect
The procession begins with small neputa, and larger ones make their way through the streets as the festival continues.
Musicians follow behind each neputa, adding to the procession with flute and drum music and the chant “Yā-yadō.”
You can also enjoy the goldfish-shaped neputa lanterns carried by children, as well as neputa lanterns featuring creative designs by local groups.
Location and access
- Address
Hirosaki City
Host municipality 青森県弘前市
This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.
Dates and season
- Season
Every year from August 1 to the 7th
- Frequency
Every year
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 / Hirosaki City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Nearby attractions include the Hirosaki City Tourist Center and Museum, as well as sights related to the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival.
The Aomori Prefecture tourism information website lists these as attractions near Hirosaki Neputa Festival.
When visiting, you can combine sightseeing in Hirosaki City with the festival while checking the procession route and information from each facility.
堀越城
青森県の城・史跡のスポットです。
写真：MChew / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
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大森勝山遺跡
青森県弘前市にある縄文時代の環状列石を主体とする集落遺跡
写真：MChew / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
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岩木山神社
青森県弘前市にある神社
写真：nnh / Public domain(resized and reformatted)
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弘前れんが倉庫美術館
青森県弘前市にある現代美術館
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
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弘前八幡宮
弘前市にある神社
写真：AT@wiki from Japan / CC BY-SA 2.0(resized and reformatted)
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弘前公園
青森県弘前市にある公園
写真：Feri88 / CC BY 3.0(resized and reformatted)
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弘前市立博物館
青森県弘前市にある博物館
写真：663highland / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
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弘前市立郷土文学館
青森県弘前市にある文学館
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
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揚亀園
青森県弘前市の津軽藩ねぷた村にある日本庭園
写真：663highland / CC BY 2.5(resized and reformatted)
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旧第五十九銀行本店本館
青森県弘前市にある歴史的建造物
写真：Kaburamata / CC0(resized and reformatted)
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津軽藩ねぷた村
青森県弘前市にある観光施設
写真：津軽藩ねぷた村 / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
瑞楽園
青森県の公園・庭園のスポットです。
写真：MChew / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Hirosaki Neputa Festival
Hirosaki Neputa is said to have first appeared in written records in 1722.
There are several theories about its origins, but it is said to have developed from a farming custom called “nemuri-nagashi,” or “sending off sleep,” which was intended to dispel sleepiness and laziness that interfered with summer farm work.
In 1980, it was designated by the national government as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property under the name “Hirosaki Neputa.” Today, residents continue to take part in the procession and preserve and pass on the tradition.
Official information
Information on the dates, procession routes, paid viewing seats, and traffic restrictions is available in the official Hirosaki Neputa Festival information from the Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Bureau.
Hirosaki City’s city promotion website also introduces the festival period and what the procession is like.
Source: 弘前ねぷたまつり 準備大詰め(2026.7.25) - いいかも！！弘前 ～弘前シティプロモーションサイト～
Hirosaki Neputa Festival at a Glance
Hirosaki Neputa Festival is a summer festival that brings the streets of Hirosaki to life with warrior pictures on neputa lanterns, reverse-side pictures, and music played on flutes and drums.
The procession moves from small to large lanterns, and you can enjoy neputa measuring over 9 meters as well as the people who push and pull them.
The festival is supported by a long history and local participants, as reflected in its appearance in written records in 1722 and its designation as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1980.
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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