Prayers for a bountiful harvest passed down through Mushi-okuri and fire rituals
Okutsugaru Mushi to Hi Matsuri
The 2026 edition of Okutsugaru Mushi to Hi Matsuri has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/06/20Ended
- Season / frequency
- June, third Saturday / Every year
- Location
- Tachineputa Museum (starting point) to Hokuto Ground, Iwaki River Riverside Park
- 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
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
Okutsugaru Mushi to Hi Matsuri is a festival in Goshogawara City that prays for a bountiful harvest. It features Mushi-okuri, the fire festival, and the insects’ ascent.
About Okutsugaru Mushi to Hi Matsuri
Okutsugaru Mushi to Hi Matsuri is a festival in Goshogawara City that prays for a bountiful harvest.
At the heart of the festival is Mushi-okuri, which sends away insects that damage rice crops and prays for a bountiful harvest.
The fire festival led by young people and the insects’ ascent are also important parts of the festival.
The festival is linked to the tradition of Mushi-okuri, held after rice planting to pray for a bountiful harvest and good health, and it continues to pass down the area’s agricultural culture.
Festival highlights
The highlights are the sequence from Mushi-okuri to the fire festival and the insects’ ascent.
In Mushi-okuri, young people carry an “insect” made with a carved wooden dragon head and a rice-straw body, processing to the accompaniment of music.
There is also a tradition of hanging the insect from a high tree branch at the edge of the village and praying.
According to the 2026 event information, performances and dance by the river and the insects’ ascent were planned, incorporating scenes of music and fire into the festival.
Prayers for a bountiful harvest passed down through Mushi-okuri and fire rituals
What to expect
The festival features Mushi-okuri, a procession carrying insect effigies; a fire festival led by young people; and a ritual sending the insects up to heaven.
The “insects” in Mushi-okuri are made with carved wooden dragon heads and rice-straw bodies, and are carried along to the accompaniment of hayashi music.
According to the 2026 program, the events proceeded from a fire-lighting ceremony and pre-performance to the opening, procession, performances and dance by the river, the insects’ ascent, and three cheers of “Yasaka.”
Each part of the festival is connected with prayers for a good harvest and good health.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Tachineputa Museum (starting point) to Hokuto Ground, Iwaki River Riverside Park / Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture
Address Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed date has passed)
The event was scheduled for June 20, 2026 (Saturday). The program was a 17:00 fire-lighting ceremony, a 17:10 pre-performance, an 18:30 opening, a 18:55 procession start, 19:20 performances and dance by the river, a 20:20 ascent of the insects, and three cheers of “Yasaka” at 20:45.
The related event “Okutsugaru Meshi and Fire Festival” was scheduled from 11:00 to 16:30.
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)
Nearby attractions
Nearby attractions include LOVE VADOS (Mohodori Distillery Research Institute), the Tachineputa Museum, Goshogawara Tachineputa, and the Y.C.M Yosh Ikuzo Collection Museum.
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 Okutsugaru Mushi to Hi Matsuri
Okutsugaru Mushi to Hi Matsuri, where multiple insects are brought together in a procession in the Goshogawara area, is said to have begun in Showa 39, when Mushi-okuri traditions from various places were brought together and presented to celebrate the visit of Princess Hanako of Tsugaru.
A 2026 news report later explained that in 1973, the Junior Chamber of Commerce at the time introduced “fire” as a new attraction, shaping the festival into its present form.
Mushi-okuri itself is held throughout Tsugaru, and records from the domain era and village histories around Goshogawara describe it as a grand event.
It is said to have become established as a religious observance from the practice of trying to drive away pests with smoke.
Official information
公式情報：奥津軽虫と火まつり 実行委員会（公益社団法人 五所川原青年会議所内）
Okutsugaru Mushi to Hi Matsuri at a Glance
Okutsugaru Mushi to Hi Matsuri is a festival in Goshogawara City that prays for a bountiful harvest through Mushi-okuri, the fire festival, and the ascent of the insects.
A local tradition of carrying insects made with carved wooden dragon heads and rice-straw bodies in procession to the accompaniment of hayashi music preserves the area’s agricultural culture.
The festival originated as a celebratory event in Showa 39, and later developed into its present form with the addition of fire.
In 2026, the program for June 20 was announced, running from the fire-lighting ceremony through the procession, musical performances and dance, the insects’ ascent, and three cheers of “Yasaka.”
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
