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Kitakami Michinoku Geino Festival
(Kitakami City)
This great folk arts event is one of the six largest festivals in Tohoku.
The highlights include Oni Kembai sword dancing, the Shishi Odori deer
dance, the release of lanterns into the Kitakami River at night, and
one of the area’s largest fireworks displays. Come join us by the
Kitakami River for excellent summer fun.
Dates: Early Aug
Access: West Exit of Kitakami Sta
Information: Kitakami Tourism Assoc. 0197-65-0300
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Chusonji Temple Bonfire Noh
(Hiraizumi Town)
Enjoy Noh theater performed by firelight on the stage at Chusonji’s
Hakusan Shrine outdoor stage. Things get started in the evening, so be
sure not to miss the climax around 19:30.
Dates: Mid Aug
Access: 5 mins by bus from Hiraizumi Sta
Information: Hiraizumi Tourism Assoc 0191-46-2110
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Hayachine Shrine Festival (Hanamaki City)
This processional is made up of portable mikoshi
shrines, mountain ascetics blowing trumpet triton shells,
and over 40 representations of the
deity Gongen-sama. The festival also includes sacred kagura dancing
performed by young children.
Dates: Late Jul – Early Aug
Location: Hayachine Shrine
Access: 1 hr by car from Shin-Hanamaki Sta.
Information: Industry Division, Ohasama Branch, Hanamaki City Hall 0198-48-2111
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Morioka Sansa Odori Dance Festival (Morioka
City)
Sansa's 5000 taiko drums is the greatest number for any festival
in Japan. And with 20,000 dancers and 600 flutes, this parade
is packed with enough thrills for any audience. For those who just cannot
resist the infectious
rhythm, there are participatory dance circles at the end, too!
Dates: Early Aug
Location: Morioka City Hall and Chuodori
Access: 10 mins on foot from Morioka Sta.
Information: Festival Exec. Cmte. 019-624-5880
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Kamaishi Yoisa (Kamaishi City)
Kamaishi's main street fills with rings of 3,000 dancing participants.
Anyone can join in the lively, jumping throngs, so add your voice to the
chanting and you body to the horde.
Date: Early Aug
Location: Omachi (Kamaishi's Main St.)
Access: 10 mins on foot from Kamaishi Sta.
Information: Kamaishi Tourism Assoc. 0193-22-5835
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Ichinoseki Summer Festival (Ichinoseki City)
The first night of this high summer event is highlighted by a
fireworks display accompanying the opening of the Iwaigawa River for summer
fun, which is regularly attended by over ten thousand people. The following
day features a magnificent taiko drum parade, and the dancing Kuru-Kuru Odori
grand procession at night.
Dates: Early Aug
Location: Downtown Ichinoseki
Access: 1 mins on foot from Ichinoseki Sta.
Information: Ichinoseki Division of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism
0191-21-2111
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Hiraizumi Daimonji Festival (Hiraizumi Town)
With Mt. Tabashineyama silhouetted against the setting sun, flame
from the eternal flame of Chusonji's main temple is used to ignite a giant
character on the mountain's eastern slope, reflecting beautifully in the
Kitakami River.
Date: Mid Aug
Location: Hiraizumi
Access: 5 mins by car from Tohoku Expwy Hiraizumi-Maesawa IC
Information: Hiraizumi Tourism Assoc. 0191-46-2110
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Shizukuishi Yoshare Festival (Shizukuishi Town)
Shizukuishi's women are famous for their beauty, inherited from
the old capital at Kyoto. In this largest of Shizukuishi's festivals, a graceful,
gorgeous dancing parade of these beautiful women fills the town's streets.
Date: Mid Aug
Location: Shizukuishi shopping district
Access: 30 mins by car from Morioka
Information: Shizukuishi Yoshare Festival Exec. Cmte. 019-692-3321
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All Japan Tono Manuke-bushi Festival (Tono
City)
One of Tono's four great festivals, Manuke-bushi lights up the
summer night with a lighthearted and comical costumed dance in
which tourists can participate.
Date: Early Aug
Location: In front of Tono Sta.
Access: 1 min on foot from Tono Sta.
Information: Festival Exec. Cmte. 0198-62-2111
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Tono Fireworks Festival (Tono City)
On the last night of the Obon holiday, 3000 fireworks light
up the Tono sky at a fast and furious pace that makes onlookers
forget for a moment the heat and humidity of summer.
Date: Mid Aug
Location: Hayasegawa Park, Tono
Access: 10 mins on foot from Tono Sta.
Information: Festival Exec. Cmte. 0198-62-2456
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Morioka Fireworks Festival (Morioka City)
The largest fireworks festival in the Morioka area is held by
the Tonan Ohashi Bridge in southern Morioka. It includes a pyrotechnicians'
competition, and loads of interesting and high-paced fireworks
in a display of 10000 blasts of glory.
Date: Early Aug
Location: Near Tonan Ohashi Bridge
Information: Tonan Chamber of Commerce 019-638-3399
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