A festival to discover the sound of Tsugaru shamisen and the legacy of Nitabō
Nitabō Festival
The 2026 edition of Nitabō Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/09/05Ended
- Season / frequency
- Once each year
- Location
- Tsugaru Shamisen Hall Outdoor Stage
- Area
- Aomori Prefecture・Goshogawara 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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free admission
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
A music festival honoring Nitabō, a Tsugaru shamisen pioneer associated with Kanagi Town, with performances by top prizewinners from the All-Japan Kanagi Competition.
About Nitabō Festival
Nitabō Festival is a concert named after Kanbara no Nitabō, a Tsugaru shamisen pioneer from Kanagi Town.
The event is held once each year, inspired by the historical account that Nitabō traveled around Kanagi Town performing at various locations during his lifetime.
An exhibition featuring top prizewinners from the All-Japan Kanagi Tsugaru Shamisen Competition is held, sharing the region’s musical heritage.
Festival highlights
The highlight is an exhibition featuring top prizewinners from the All-Japan Kanagi Tsugaru Shamisen Competition.
According to the 2026 event information, performances honoring Tsugaru shamisen pioneer Nitabō were presented as San-gen Battle 2026, “Let Your Individuality Explode! A Cry from the Soul!!”
Alongside the performances, the venue also featured food stalls serving Nitabō soba, food trucks, and a beer garden.
A festival to discover the sound of Tsugaru shamisen and the legacy of Nitabō
What to expect
In 2026, the food stalls opened to coincide with the venue opening at 3 p.m.
Food vendors, including food trucks and a beer garden, were on site, and KADOKKO served Nitabō soba. An exhibition featuring top prizewinners from the All-Japan Kanagi Tsugaru Shamisen Competition was scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
The event was to proceed in light rain; in rainy weather it was to move to the indoor multipurpose hall, and it would be canceled in severe weather.
How to take part
Free admission.
No straw mats or folding chairs are provided; please bring your own.
Picnic sheets should be placed at the front, and portable chairs at the back.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Tsugaru Shamisen Hall Outdoor Stage / 189-3 Asahiyama, Kanagi Town, Goshogawara, Aomori Prefecture
- Train and bus
About a 7-minute walk from Kanagi Station on the Tsugaru Railway
- By car
About 18 minutes from Goshogawara Station
- Parking
Yes
Address 189-3 Asahiyama, Kanagi Town, Goshogawara, Aomori Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
2026年9月5日（土）15:00〜20:00。
Doors open at 3 p.m.; food stalls from around 3 p.m.; exhibition from 5 p.m. to around 8 p.m.
Proceeds in light rain; moves to the indoor multipurpose hall in rainy weather; canceled in severe weather
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 / Goshogawara City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
No straw mats or folding chairs are provided at the venue, so please bring your own for viewing.
Picnic sheets should be placed at the front, and portable chairs at the back.
Nearby attractions
Near the venue are Tsugaru Shamisen Hall, Kanagi Tourist and Local Products Center “Sanchoku Merosu,” and Unshoji Temple.
The festival and nearby facilities offer an opportunity to experience the culture and tourism of the Kanagi area.
太宰治記念館 「斜陽館」
青森県五所川原市にある太宰治の生家
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
立佞武多の館
青森県五所川原市にある展示施設
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Nitabō Festival
Nitabō Festival is an event honoring Kanbara no Nitabō, a Tsugaru shamisen pioneer from Kanagi Town.
It is held as an annual concert, drawing on the historical account that Nitabō traveled around Kanagi Town performing at various locations during his lifetime.
Today, his name and music are carried on through an exhibition featuring top prizewinners from the All-Japan Kanagi Tsugaru Shamisen Competition.
Official information
Organizer · 問い合わせ：津軽三味線全日本金木大会及び仁太坊祭り実行委員会／津軽三味線会館 0173-54-1616
Nitabō Festival at a Glance
Nitabō Festival is a concert named after Nitabō, a Tsugaru shamisen pioneer from Kanagi Town.
In 2026, the event information listed a San-gen Battle featuring top prizewinners at the Tsugaru Shamisen Hall Outdoor Stage, along with food stalls serving items such as Nitabō soba.
Admission is free, but visitors need to bring their own seating.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
