When it comes to summer in Japan, festivals and fireworks take center stage. Among them, the “Three Great Festivals(Matsuri) of Tohoku” are especially popular with international visitors, drawing countless travelers from across Japan and abroad each year. One of these is the Akita Kanto Festival(Matsuri) held in Akita Prefecture.
This festival captivates audiences with a magical sight: countless lanterns swaying in the night sky and the skillful performances of “sashite” (pole handlers). In this article, we provide an easy-to-understand guide for international travelers, covering everything from the basics to the highlights, how to access the venue, and useful tips for enjoying the Akita Kanto Festival in 2025.
※Sashite: Sashite are performers who expertly handle large bamboo poles (kanto) adorned with lanterns. They balance them on their palms, foreheads, shoulders, and hips, showcasing incredible strength, balance, and skill.
(Source:https://akita-fun.jp/spots/31)
1. What Is the Akita Kanto Festival?
The Akita Kanto Festival is a traditional summer event held every early August in Akita City, Akita Prefecture. It is one of the Three Great Festivals of Tohoku. The festival’s unique style involves balancing bamboo poles—some reaching up to 12 meters high and weighing around 50 kilograms—on the body while they are adorned with dozens of glowing lanterns.
The origin of the festival lies in the “Neburi Nagashi,” a ritual intended to drive away drowsiness and pray for good health and a bountiful harvest. Today, this dazzling blend of light and skill has become a symbolic summer tradition in Akita, admired worldwide.
What makes this festival especially appealing to international visitors is not just the visual impact, but also the interactive experiences and opportunities to engage with the local community. You can take photos with participants in traditional costumes or even try lifting a kanto pole yourself—offering an authentic cultural connection beyond simple sightseeing.
2. What Is a Kanto?
A “kanto” is a large bamboo pole fitted with multiple lanterns that resemble rice ears swaying in the wind. The largest type, called “Oowaka,” can reach up to 12 meters in height, weigh up to 50 kilograms, and carry 46 lanterns.
When the lanterns are lit, they sway gently, evoking the image of rice stalks fluttering in the breeze. Sashite balance and manipulate these poles using various parts of their body—hands, foreheads, shoulders, and hips—drawing cheers from the crowd.
Kanto are imbued with prayers for “bountiful harvests” and “good health,” and they represent a blend of faith, performance art, and agricultural traditions in Japanese culture. The way the pole flexes, the flickering lantern light, and the sashite’s physical movements all reflect years of mastery and inner strength.
3. Basic Information for the 2025 Akita Kanto Festival
- Dates: August 3 (Sun) – August 6 (Wed), 2025
- Main Evening Event (Kanto Odori Street): August 3–6, approx. 18:50–20:50
- Daytime Performance Competitions (Area Nakaichi): August 4–5, 9:00–15:40; August 6, 9:20–15:00 (finals)
Evening Location: Kanto Odori Street (From 2‑Chōme Bridget to Sanno Crossroads)
Daytime Location: Area Nakaichi, Nigiwai Plaza
- Rain Policy: Held even in rain; daytime competitions move indoors if necessary
- Akita Station Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1WgXLRX2utL2ey3z8
- Official Website: https://www.kantou.gr.jp/
More than 200,000 visitors attend each night, with over 700,000 over the entire festival. Reserved seating is available for purchase and is highly recommended. English pamphlets and multilingual support are available in select locations, making it accessible for international guests.
4. Highlights of the Akita Kanto Festival
- Swaying Lanterns: The glowing lanterns against the night sky are breathtaking. Their graceful motion is reminiscent of rice stalks blowing in the wind—paying homage to Japan’s agricultural roots.
- Masterful Skills of the Sashite: The mesmerizing techniques of the sashite are awe-inspiring. Watch them balance massive poles on their foreheads or perform coordinated group acts—truly a spectacle to behold.
- Interactive Kanto Experience: After the evening show, visitors can touch or lift the poles themselves and take photos—an especially popular moment for tourists.
- Daytime Competitions: Held in a contest format, local teams showcase their precision and style, offering a different atmosphere than the nighttime event.
- Energy of Music and Chants: Traditional flutes, drums, and the iconic chant “Dokkoisho, dokkoisho!” create a thrilling and unified energy throughout the festival.
5. History and Origins
The festival dates back to the Horeki era (1751–1764) of the mid-Edo period, where it originated as “Neburi Nagashi,” a ritual to drive out sleepiness and evil spirits and to pray for good health and harvest.
This ritual was traditionally held around the time of the lunar Tanabata and involved floating lanterns and bamboo on rivers—a symbolic act of washing away fatigue and sickness. Over time, this evolved into parading with bamboo poles adorned with lanterns, leading to the birth of today’s Kanto Festival.
By the Meiji era, the modern form of the festival had taken shape. In 1951, the Akita Kanto Association was formed, and in 1976, the event was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Japan.
The Kanto Festival is not just a tourist attraction—it is a “living cultural heritage” that fuses local traditions, faith, and community pride.
※Lunar Tanabata: Lunar Tanabata is celebrated according to Japan’s traditional lunisolar calendar, typically falling in early August—coinciding with the Kanto Festival period.
※Important Intangible Folk Cultural Assets: Important Intangible Folk Cultural Assets are designated by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs to preserve and pass down vital traditional customs, events, and performing arts. The Akita Kanto Festival is among them.
6. Access Information
The festival takes place in central Akita City—easily accessible for international travelers.
- Nearest Station: JR Akita Station (Terminal of the Akita Shinkansen Komachi Line)
- By Shinkansen: About 3 hours and 50 minutes from Tokyo Station. The scenic route passes through Tazawako and Kakunodate.
- By Air: About 1 hour from Narita or Haneda Airports to Akita Airport. From there, it's a 40-minute limousine bus ride to the city center (¥950 one-way).
- By Bus/Car: Overnight and express buses operate from Tohoku and Kanto regions. Note: road closures and heavy traffic are expected during the festival.
From Akita Station, it’s a 15-minute walk to the festival area along pedestrian-only Kanto Odori Street, where visitors can enjoy local food stalls and street scenery. Tourist information centers nearby provide pamphlets and maps in English, Chinese, and Korean.
7. How to Enjoy the Festival
Recommended Events:
- Evening Performances (Aug 3–6, 18:50–20:50): Main attraction with rows of kanto swaying in unison.
- Daytime Competitions (Aug 4–6, 9:00–15:40): Technical showcases judged on precision and beauty.
- Interactive Kanto (Around 20:35 each night): Visitors can lift the poles and take photos.
Street Food Tour: Try Akita specialties like Kiritanpo, Yokote Yakisoba, and Baba-Hera Ice.
What to Wear:
- Daytime: Lightweight, breathable clothing (temperatures can reach nearly 30°C).
- Evening: A light jacket or shawl is useful as nights can get cool.
- Rain Gear: Bring a folding umbrella or raincoat just in case.
What to Bring:
- Portable charger (for photos and maps)
- Hat and sunscreen
- Leisure sheet (for free viewing areas)
- Cash (some vendors may not accept cards)
8. Tips and Etiquette
Photography Etiquette:
- Tripods may be restricted in crowded areas.
- Avoid using flash near sashite performers.
- Be mindful of others while taking photos.
Busy Times and Locations:
- 6:00–7:00 PM is peak crowd time. Arrive early.
- Sanno Crossroads area is especially crowded.
- Daytime events are less crowded—great for photography.
When It’s Crowded:
- Stay close to your group and designate meeting spots.
- Families with kids should plan communication and safety in advance.
- Follow staff instructions and yield to pedestrians.
Other Tips:
- Dispose of trash properly or take it with you.
- Show respect for Japanese traditions and local customs.
- Avoid loud behavior and smoking in public areas.
9. Nearby Attractions
Senshu Park (Kubota Castle Ruins): A scenic park with moats and stone walls—great for history buffs.
Akita City Folklore and Performing Arts Center (Neburi Nagashi-kan): Learn more about the festival through exhibits and videos.
- Akita Museum of Art: Features works by Tsuguharu Foujita and striking architecture.
Akita Port Tower Selion: Offers panoramic views of the city and Sea of Japan.
- Oga Peninsula & Namahage Museum: Explore another Akita tradition through interactive displays.
In Conclusion
The Akita Kanto Festival is a rare fusion of traditional Japanese culture and modern tourism. The sight of glowing lanterns dancing in the dark, powered by incredible human skill, will leave a lasting impression. With convenient access, multilingual support, and plenty of nearby attractions, this event is ideal for international travelers.
Why not immerse yourself in the dreamlike world of Kanto lanterns lighting up the night sky in Akita this summer? It just might become the highlight of your trip to Japan.
