Nebuta festival is one of the most famous summer festival in Japan. It’s held from August 2nd to 7th every year (Please check the festival date at the Nebuta festival official website before you go ). “Nebuta (ねぶた)” means a huge lantern in human shape.
The origin of Nebuta Festival
There are some explanation about the origin of Nebuta festival. The most dominant opinion these days is that Nebuta festival stems from Tanabata festival which is related to the anecdote of ancient China.
“Nebuta” sounds close to “Nemutai” which means sleepy. Nebuta festival is also said to be the festival for farmers to stay up late to finish work in field. Japanese original festival and Tanabata festival from China are combined and it developed as Nebuta festival now.
How to perticipate Nebuta festival
One of the good point of Nebuta festival is that not only tourists watch the performance but they can participate in the festival. If you rent the costume for dancer called “Haneto (跳人)”, you can join the festival and walk around the town with Nebuta.
The role of Haneto is to shout to create festival atmosphere and distribute small bells to people lining the path of the parade. Small bells which Haneto gives is believed to bring happiness.
How to rent Haneto costume
You can rent Haneto costume at a local Kimoto store. Also, people in Kimono store help us to wear the costume, so you don’t need to learn how to wear this. I used Kobe-ya (website is Japanese) when I went to Nebuta festival last year. I found English reservation page on this website, but it looks they deleted it. English page may be opened when the festival date approach. This store is close to the main street so after you wear the costume, you can walk from the store to the main street.
the last day OF nebuta festival
Nebuta goes into the sea and fireworks are set off on the last day of the festival. It is difficult to see Nebuta on the sea because so many people come to the seaside park to see Nebuta, but fireworks are really good! I found the map of the route and fireworks from the official page of Nebuta festival.
Thank you for reading! I think Nebuta festival is the most fun and beautiful festival in Japan. I hope my post will helps when you have chance to join Nebuta festival.
BICYCLE JOURNEY JAPAN 