Akita Kanto Festival

The Akita Kanto Festival is a traditional summer festival held in Akita City, Akita Prefecture, over four days from August 3rd to 6th every year. It is counted as one of the three great festivals of Tohoku, alongside the Aomori Nebuta Festival and the Sendai Tanabata Festival, and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

In this festival, performers showcase their skills by balancing 'kanto'—bamboo poles up to 12 meters long with 46 lanterns attached—on their hands, shoulders, hips, or foreheads. The golden lanterns swaying in the night sky symbolize abundant rice ears and embody prayers for a good harvest and good health. Every year, many people visit, making it a locally rooted festival that attracts attention both domestically and internationally.

The origin of the Akita Kanto Festival dates back to the mid-Edo period, between 1751 and 1764. It is said to have originated from an event called 'Neburi Nagashi,' which was held on the eve of the Tanabata Festival. In this event, children would float bamboo branches with their wishes written on them down the river to ward off summer illnesses and evil spirits. Later, it evolved into a form where young people paraded through the town with long poles adorned with lanterns. Because the shape of the poles resembled rice ears or straw bags, the meaning of praying for a good harvest was added, leading to the current form. This tradition has been passed down for over 270 years and is cherished as a summer tradition in Akita.

The Akita Kanto Festival is held over four days from August 3rd to 6th every year. The main venue is Oodori Street in central Akita City, Akita Prefecture. At night, the street is filled with kanto, creating a magical scene.

The festival takes place at night, generally starting around 6:00 p.m. At the start, the kanto are raised in the direction of the former Kubota Castle (now Senshu Park) to honor the successive feudal lords. Unlike other Tohoku festivals, a unique feature of the Kanto Festival is that about 280 kanto start simultaneously, rather than floats parading one by one. The sight of all the kanto rising at once at the signal is breathtaking, and the excitement from the audience is palpable.

On the day of the Kanto Festival, a ritual is held at Hachiman Akita Shrine (inside Senshu Park), which enshrines the Satake clan, to pray for safety and to receive the gohei (sacred paper streamers) attached to the tips of the kanto. This ritual represents the sacred aspect of the festival and plays an important role in praying for the safety of the large-scale event involving about 280 kanto.

The biggest highlight of the Kanto Festival is the kanto performances by the 'sashite' (performers). Many people think the festival is about carrying large kanto, but the essence lies in balancing a large kanto weighing about 50kg on a single point of the body, such as the forehead or waist, rather than simply holding it.

The time spent holding the kanto with both hands is short; most movements are performed with one hand. The sashite receive the kanto from the previous person, perform with it balanced on their body, and then pass it to the next person—all with one hand. Mastering this skill requires years of practice, and the impact of the festival greatly depends on the performers' abilities.

Each lantern on the kanto contains a real candle, and each one is lit by hand. Because real flames are used, the candles may go out if the wind blows, and occasionally, if balance is lost, the lanterns may catch fire. A good performance is considered one where the performer calmly demonstrates their skills without extinguishing the candle flames.

The main nighttime event takes place every night from August 3rd to 6th on Kanto Oodori Street.

The 'Kanto Performance Competition,' commonly known as 'Daytime Kanto,' is held during the day from August 4th to 6th at the Area Nakaichi Nigiwai Plaza. According to the usual schedule, the preliminaries are on August 4th and 5th (around 9:00 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.), and the finals are on the 6th (around 9:20 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.). In this competition, sashite representing neighborhoods, companies, and schools compete in individual and group events for the accuracy and beauty of their kanto techniques, aiming for the title of 'Kanto Master'.

Unlike the magical nighttime atmosphere, the Daytime Kanto is more of a serious 'competition,' allowing you to closely observe the details of the techniques and the concentration of the performers.

During the festival, a local gourmet festival is held at Omachi Event Square from 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. With 36 stalls, you can enjoy Akita specialties such as kiritanpo, Inaniwa udon, iburigakko, as well as B-grade gourmet foods from all over Japan. After the main nighttime event, the 'Fureai Kanto' allows visitors to try lifting a kanto themselves and experience the excitement firsthand. These activities are popular with families and first-time visitors.

Access to Oodori Street, the venue of the Akita Kanto Festival, is very convenient—about a 10-minute walk from JR Akita Station. From Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Morioka Station, then transfer to the Akita Shinkansen 'Komachi' to reach Akita Station in about 3 hours and 30 minutes.

• Reserved Seating: Paid reserved seats (3,500–28,000 yen) are comfortable and tiered, allowing you to enjoy the performances without worrying about people in front of you. Especially during the crowded nighttime events, these seats are recommended for those seeking a comfortable viewing experience.
  • Ticket site: https://www.kantou.gr.jp/kanran
• Enjoy the Food: Savor Akita's specialties at the food stalls and enjoy the local food culture.
• Kanto Experience: Try lifting a kanto at the Fureai Kanto and feel how difficult the performers' skills are.
• Heat Countermeasures: Akita in August is hot, so don't forget hats and hydration.
• Check the Schedule: Check the schedule in advance to enjoy both daytime and nighttime events.

• Q: Is viewing the festival free?
  A: It is basically free, but you can enjoy it more comfortably with paid reserved seats.
• Q: Can I try holding a kanto?
  A: After the main nighttime event, you can try holding a kanto and take commemorative photos at the Fureai Kanto.
• Q: Is there parking available?
  A: There are parking lots nearby, but due to congestion, public transportation is recommended.
• Q: Will the festival be canceled if it rains?
  A: In principle, it will be held even in the rain, but the time may be shortened depending on the weather. If it rains during the daytime competition, it may be held indoors at Akita City Gymnasium.

For the latest information and seat reservations, check the official Akita Kanto Festival website.

• Official Akita Kanto Festival Website
  • https://www.kantou.gr.jp/
  • Paid reserved seat application: https://www.kantou.gr.jp/kanran