A summer festival where illuminated human-shaped and fan-shaped neputa bring the streets to life with music
Kuroishi Neputa
The 2026 edition of Kuroishi Neputa has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/30 〜 2026/08/05Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year, from July 30 to August 5 / Every year
- Location
- Miyuki Park and central Kuroishi
- Area
- Aomori Prefecture・Kuroishi 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
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free admission
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Kuroishi Neputa is a traditional summer festival in Tsugaru, where human-shaped neputa and fan-shaped neputa parade through the streets of Kuroishi. Enjoy the illuminated neputa designs accompanied by festival music and calls.
About Kuroishi Neputa
Kuroishi Neputa is a traditional summer event passed down in Kuroishi, Aomori Prefecture.
Human-shaped and fan-shaped neputa both parade through the streets, accompanied by flutes, drums, and gongs, as well as the calls of “Yare Yare Ya.”
It is a festival that brings the community together, with local adults and children taking part.
Source: 黒石ねぷた祭り - 黒石市
Festival highlights
The main highlight is seeing human-shaped and fan-shaped neputa appear together in the same festival.
Human-shaped neputa have tiered platforms and railings, with a rear painting of a beautiful woman on the back, contrasting with the samurai painting on the front.
As the lights come on at dusk, the colors and forms of the neputa designs emerge, and the floats make their way through the city to the sound of festival music.
A summer festival where illuminated human-shaped and fan-shaped neputa bring the streets to life with music
What to expect
Neputa made in each neighborhood take part in the festival, proceeding through the city to music and calls.
In 2026, joint parades starting from Miyuki Park were announced, including a judged joint parade and an awards joint parade.
Local adults and children support the parade as pullers and musicians.
How to take part
This festival is attended by local adults and children, who take part as pullers and hayashi musicians.
In 2026, an outside group recruited participants for the judging parade on July 30, and there was also information about taking part for free.
However, the general participation requirements and application contact for the festival as a whole need to be checked for each activity.
At the judging parade on July 30, 2026, participants were asked to gather at Miyuki Park and apply by email with a specified subject line and the required details.
The required details were name, age, and phone number, and applications were to be submitted by the day before.
This was a participation notice from a particular group and should be treated separately from general recruitment for the festival as a whole.
Source: 【参加者募集】選手と一緒に「弘前ねぷたまつり」「黒石ねぷた祭り」に参加しよう！ | ブランデュー弘前FCオフィシャルサイト
Location and access
- Venue and address
Miyuki Park, Kuroishi.
The joint parade starts from Miyuki Park and proceeds through central Kuroishi.
- Train and bus
About a 10-minute walk from Kuroishi Station on the Konan Line of Konan Railway.
- By car
About 10 minutes from the Kuroishi IC on the Tohoku Expressway.
Another source gives the drive as about 8 minutes, so allow for road conditions and other factors.
- Parking
Spocal Inn Kuroishi is listed as a designated parking lot.
Source: お知らせ | 津軽錦絵作家協会
Address Kuroishi, Aomori Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 festival information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 festival was scheduled to run from July 30 (Thursday) to August 5 (Wednesday).
During the festival, a judged joint parade was held on July 30 and an awards joint parade on August 2, with the parades starting from Miyuki Park.
The parade departure time is listed as 5:30 p.m., with the procession starting at 7 p.m.
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 / Kuroishi City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The parade travels through the city, so the Neputa floats you can see and the way the parade progresses vary depending on where you watch.
During the nighttime parade, you can enjoy the illuminated Neputa artwork and hayashi music.
Designated parking is indicated for visitors arriving by car, but check the official information for the latest traffic restrictions and temporary parking details.
Nearby attractions
The Kuroishi Neputa Festival introduction page lists Konpirazawa Garden (Sawasei-en), Kuroishi Shrine, and Tsugaru Kuroishi Minna no Yukidaruma as nearby attractions.
They are all introduced as sightseeing options near the festival venue.
For peace of mind, check each facility’s information about visiting hours and operating status before you go.
津軽こけし館
青森県黒石市にあるこけしの展示施設
津軽伝承工芸館
青森県黒石市にある工芸館
Origins and History of Kuroishi Neputa
In Kuroishi, the Neputa festivities were once called the “ Festival.”
According to information from Kuroishi City, the 1786 “Yamada-ke Ki” (Records of the Yamada Family) says, “The Tanabata Festival was as lively as usual,” and the city explains that it had been held even earlier.
The coexistence of human-shaped and fan-shaped neputa, along with their distinctive railings and rear paintings, has been passed down as a hallmark of Kuroishi Neputa.
Official information
Check the Aomori Prefecture tourism information website for the venue, the 2026 festival dates, and access information.
The Kuroishi City official website provides information on the festival’s features and history, and lists the Kuroishi Junior Chamber as a contact.
A link to the Kuroishi Junior Chamber website is also included as the festival’s official site.
Kuroishi Neputa at a Glance
Kuroishi Neputa is a summer festival held in Kuroishi, where human-shaped and fan-shaped neputa appear together.
Illuminated neputa proceed through the city to festival music and calls. You can also enjoy distinctive Kuroishi designs, such as the rear paintings and railings.
In 2026, the festival ran from July 30 to August 5, with Miyuki Park as the parade starting point.
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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