As the vaccines become more widespread thoughts of travel can begin to take form. I will be getting my first shot soon with the followup several weeks later. All well before the summer months. For the first time, I have planned a trip for August.
In the northern area of Aomori, you cant throw a rock without hitting a neputa. And, I will try to hit as many neputa as I can, figuratively. Neputa or sometimes nebuta, are wire-frame floats that parade through the streets of many cities. The brightly colored floats come to life when they are lit and night time descends. The parading lanterns pop against a darkened sky with drums beating in time and flutes lifting spirits. These festivals land on specific days no matter what day of the week it is. But many will last long enough to occur one or both weekend days most times.
Aomori is the most well known of the festivals. Usually Aug 2-7. Here it is called nebuta. Back in 2011, this area was a layover on a train ride from Sapporro to Tokyo. There is a nebuta museum that I stopped into and saw some of the past nebuta that made their way thorough the city streets. Neputa are typically fan-shaped floats. There is none of that. Nebutas are large floats depicting scenes like battles between samurai/gods/dragons or moments in japanese lore to even whimsical themes. The commonality is the wire-frame structure, paper like covering over the wire-frame, lit from within, and the use of bright bold colors.
Hirosaki, Aug 1-7, to the southwest has their neputa festival and it comprises both neputa and nebuta. Instead of a loop around a certain part of town, they have different routes depending on the day. I was able to book a room at the Toyoko Inn near the station and hope to have a room with a view as one of the routes is directly in from of the station.
Goshogawara, Aug 4-8, is north of Hirosaki and they have tachineputa. Where Aomori is wide, Goshogawara is tall. 7 meter floats being carried by human power around the center of town. Adults and children pulling miniature neputa.
To the areas south and west of Hirosaki are Hirakawa, Kuroishi, and Owani. They too hold neputa parades but to a smaller extent. So small that I will end up dropping Owani from the list so I dont get neputa overload. Kurishi runs from Jul 31 to Aug 5 with 2 different parade routes. Hirakawa only lasts for 2 days, Aug 2-3. As I will be arriving in the area around 8/3, this will be the first one that I hit up. It happens, conveniently, in front of Hiraka station. It will be a good primer of the things to come over the next few nights.
From what I have seen, there will be several yatai at each of the parades. That being said, I will be indulging in unhealthy faire food for dinner for so many nights. Must try to sneak in vegetables or a nice salad in the afternoon.
Expect pictures during the trip and I will edit vidoes after my return. May post some short clips during the meantime
In August, I will be getting my neputa on!!
