Introducing a one-day bus tour that includes viewing of the Akita Kanto Festival, Kakunodate Buke Yashiki Street, shopping at the Akita Marugoto Market, and dinner at a hotel.
| entrance fee | 16,800 yen per person |
| Included in the participation fee | Bus fare, Akita Kanto Festival admission fee, dinner at a hotel in Akita City |
The Akita Kanto Festival has been held in Akita City, Akita Prefecture, for more than 250 years, and is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset.
This is a traditional festival in which "sando" (lanterns), many of which are hung from long bamboo poles, are held in the palms of the hands, forehead, shoulders, and waist by skilled men called "sasete," or "handlers," who balance the lanterns with exquisite precision.
The lanterns are made to look like ears of rice, and the hanging lanterns are made to look like rice bales to pray for a good harvest.
The length of the lanterns ranges from 5 to 12 meters, and the largest, with 46 lanterns hanging from it, weighs as much as 50 kilograms. The skill of the organizers in freely manipulating these large lanterns is a sight to behold!
About 280 Kanto lanterns rising simultaneously in the summer night sky are so beautiful that they fill the street with light as if the Milky Way had descended upon it.
This tour allows visitors to enjoy the parade in a relaxed atmosphere with paid seating.
Today's tour will take you to "recommended spots in Akita" before viewing the Akita Kanto Festival.
Kakunodate Buke Yashiki (Samurai residences)
Kakunodate Buke Yashiki Street, which retains its Edo period townscape, has been selected as a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
Six houses along the street with massive blackboard walls are open to the public, and visitors can enjoy the view of the gardens and the samurai residences with 400 years of history.
Stopover 2. Shopping at Akita Marugoto Market
Akita Marugoto Market is a market where you can find everything from Akita's famous sweets and specialties to fresh foods. Enjoy shopping for seasonal foods and souvenirs!
Stopover 3. Dinner at a hotel in Akita City
Dinner will be served at a hotel in Akita City.
After finishing your meal, go to the site of the Akita Kanto Festival!
Paid spectator seats are available so that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the parade!
The Akita Kanto Festival lights up the summer night sky in Akita. We invite you to experience the fantastic atmosphere of this traditional festival!
