New York – May 27 , 2025: While Japan’s major cities sizzle under the summer sun, the Tohoku region offers a cooler, cultural escape with three exciting festivals. Tohoku is cementing itself as a prime "off- the-beaten-path" destination for travelers looking to avoid the crowds - as these vibrant celebrations welcomed more than 4 million visitors last August - with anticipation already building for an even more exciting summer this year.
Aomori Nebuta Festival
Held from August 2-7, 2025, the Aomori Nebuta Festival is one of the most fabulous events in all of Tohoku. Its giant papier-mâché dolls, called nebuta, enchant more than 3 million visitors every year. These brightly lit three-dimensional floats – measuring up to 30 feet wide and 16 feet tall - take a full year to build. A total of 22 floats parade through the streets depicting gods and spirits, local personalities, kabuki actors, and TV characters from historical taiga dramas. Aomori City is about three hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen bullet train. Once there, it’s just a 10- minute walk along the waterfront to Rasseland, where the floats are displayed.
Akita Kanto Festival
Held from August 3-6, 2025, the lantern-lit Akita Kanto Festival is a centuries-old tradition dedicated to praying for a bountiful harvest of the five sacred grains: wheat, rice, beans, foxtail millet and Chinese millet. With roots tracing back to the 17th century, the festival captivates visitors with timeless charm as 46 glowing lanterns illuminate the summer night sky. Akita City is easily accessible by train and bus from neighboring areas and cities in the region. The festival is held between Nichomebashi Bridge and the Sanno Jujiro Crossroads: Nichomebashi Bridge is about ten minutes on foot from Akita Station, which can be reached from Tokyo by the JR Akita Shinkansen bullet train.
Sendai Tanabata Festival
From August 6-8, 2025, throngs of visitors and locals alike will gather at the Sendai Tanabata Festival to celebrate the legend of the star- crossed lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi, who live their lives separated by the Milky Way. The couple can only meet on one night a year, on the 7th day of the 7th month, through the Tanabata festivals that occur across Japan. Depending on the calendar used, the date could mean July or August. The city’s shopping arcades come alive with vibrant handmade decorations and streamers, while festivalgoers don colorful yukata (summer kimono). Visitors can easily get to Sendai via Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo in just 90 minutes.
ABOUT JAPAN NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION (JNTO)
As the official tourism board, JNTO seeks to inspire international travelers to visit Japan. Focusing on sustainability, diversity and preservation of its history and culture, JNTO encourages travelers to explore the country while supporting local businesses, learning about indigenous cultures, and helping conserve its natural sites.
For more information about travel to Japan, visit https://www.japan.travel/en/us or the JNTO pages on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. To contact the New York office of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) directly, please e-mail jntonyc_press@jnto.go.jp.
