Events &
Festivals
*
Held in Misawa
February
Sapporo Snow Festival (first week of February)
This is one of Japan’s largest winter events that attracts a growing number of
visitors from all over Japan
and abroad. Hundreds of beautiful snow statues and ice sculptures are lined
at the Odori Park. They hold the Snow Statue Contest annually that international
groups are able to participate.
Misawa Shibareru (Freezing) Festival (second weekend
of February)*
It is the Misawa’s own snow festival to feature snow sculptures and
igloos carved by the local commercial companies, JASDF, US Forces and the
citizens. You can enjoy snow-tubing, sledding races and other outdoor
activities at this festival.
Hirosaki Snow Lantern Festival (mid February)
Around the Hirosaki Castle* displays about 200 snow lanterns and about 300
igloos hand-carved by the local citizens and groups. Large snow sculptures in
the shape of historical buildings are also enjoyed. They are lighted up so
beautifully during the night. There will be snow chute, horse sledding race
and other activities.
*Hirosaki Castle: Built in 1611 and used for about 260 years as the hub of the
then ruling the area. The ruins of the castle includes a 3-ringed moat, five
gates and 3 towers. The castle remains entirely intact.
Hachinohe Enburi Festival (17-20 February)
Enburi is the farmers’ dance ritual celebrated every year to thank
their gods for the harvest they’ve had, and pray for good crops in the
coming year. The people of Hachinohe City have handed down this unique festival, which is believed to have
begun about 800 years ago. Enburi dances depict farming scenes and the
performers wear tall decorative hats that signify horses. Various chants and
prayers are heard throughout the festival. Enburi is recognized as an
important cultural heritage asset by the national government.
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April
Japan Day (first Saturday in April)*
It offers a unique opportunity for the base populace to experience the
Japanese culture. Hundreds of Japanese artisans and craftsmen from throughout
the country put on displays at this event. It features Japanese cultural
entertainments, handicrafts, art demonstrations and many other displays.
Hosted by the Misawa International Club (MIC) every year at the Edgren High School.
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival (last week of April
through first week of May)
The Hirosaki Park, in which famous Hirosaki Castle stands, is a home to about
5,000 cherry trees of over 50 varieties. When all the trees come in full
bloom, the park becomes a picture of traditional Japan
and fascinates all the visitors to this park.
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June
American Day (first weekend of June)*
In cooperation with the MIC, the base hosts this celebration every year to
introduce American culture for the Japanese people in return for the Japan
Day. Very popular for the Japanese citizens. It’s held just outside the
base main gate and at the Civic Center, the gymnasium and the city park. A variety of booths are set up
at those locations.
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July
Lake Ogawara Festival (mid-July)*
Continued for more than 40 years, this event celebrates the opening of the
beach facilities with prayer for no water-related accidents at the lakeside
through the season. Beauty Contest, Bingo Game, Children’s Sumo
Competition along with many other attractions take place for the day.
Interested American girls are able to participate in the Beauty Contest.
Nango Summer Jazz Festival (mid July)
Held at Nango Village, this is one of the biggest outdoor concerts in Northern Japan. Many great
jazz artists from around the world will perform at this concert. The fans
even travel from the far reaches of Japan.
Mt. Osore Grand Festival (20-24 July and 9-11 October)
Mt. Osore in Mutsu City (on the Shimokita Peninsula) is one of the most
sacred mountains in Japan, which is believed to be a gathering place for the
spirits of the deceased. During the festival, special mediums known as
“Itako” help believers to communicate with departed relatives and
friends.
Tanabata Festival (late July)*
This festival is known as “Star Festival.” Chinese legend tells
of the two stars, Vega, the weaver princess and Altair, a cow herder. They
got married and their honeymoon lasted so long that they neglected their
heavenly duties. The King of Stars became so angry that he banished the two
stars to opposite ends of the Milky Way and only allowed them to meet once a
year. The festival celebrates their reunion by writing wishes on long strips
of paper and hang them on bamboo poles. The local merchants arc the poles
decorated with colorful papers and ornaments across the street. The base main
gate area and the city main streets are lined with various vendors’
booths.
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August
Bego-Jaga (Beef & Potato) Festival
(first Sunday in August) *
Held at the Misawa City Farm as one of the Misawa’s summer festivals.
You can enjoy barbecue of delicious Aomori Beef along with fresh vegetables
just reaped at local farms. Grills and charcoals are on free-rental. Advance
tickets and day tickets are sold to get those foods and sauces. Activities
and games such as Treasure Hunt, Hay Rolling, Tractor Rides, Potato Digging
and Milk Tasting can be experienced if you come out there. There will be a
petting zoo, too.
Hachinohe Three Shrines Grand Festival (Sansha Taisai) (first week of
August)
Boasting a 280-year history, this festival is regarded as one of Japan’s
biggest. Three portable shrines called Mikoshi carrying the three deities are
paraded through the streets of Hachinohe City. More
than 20 wheeled floats depicting Kabuki scenes and legends stroll gorgeously,
too. You will be fascinated by the fabulous, fantastic, and beautiful scene
recreated on these floats.
Hirosaki Neputa Festival (1-7 August)
Shouting the traditional cries of “yaayado”, the people of
Hirosaki City parade through the streets of the castle town, carrying large
lantern-floats that are painted with historical themes. Each float is
illustrated with brilliantly-colored pictures of fighting warriors on the
front, and beautiful women seeing them warriors off to war on the back. They
are beautifully illuminated against the night sky and the rhythms of the
accompanying large drums excite one and all. It is designated as an important
cultural heritage asset by the national government.
Nebuta Festival (3-7 August)
This week-long festival held in Aomori City, is the
biggest and the most unique summer festival in northern Japan
region. They have a parade of floats, which their designs are based on
historical characters of Samurais or fairy tales but the face of the main
character is the same on each float. They are about ten feet tall and twenty
feet wide. A group of dancers follow them crying out the traditional call of
“rassera”. The dance is also unique. Instead of the traditional
Japanese dance, they hop around the floats.
Misawa Festival (late August)*
This is a three-day festival to celebrate and hope for a bountiful harvest
for the year. On the first day and final day, floats depicting historical
Japanese Samurais stroll around the city main streets. On the second day, a
liveliest day of the festival, the Costume Parade kicks off festivities, and
is climaxed in the evening with the “International Summer
Festival.” The main attraction of this evening is the Mikoshi Contest,
in which Americans and Japanese compete against and with each other.
Misawa Port Festival (Sunday of late August or first September)*
To pray for a large catch of fish in the vicinity of Misawa Port, this
celebration takes place annually. Fishing is one of the two major industries
in the City of Misawa. Fresh fish and sea products are lively sold at many booths set
up at the port area. The main attraction is the fireworks display on the
night.
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October
Hirosaki Castle Fall Festival of Chrysanthemum and Colored Leaves (Mid-October to
First November)
Another festival held at the Park of Hirosaki Castle to celebrate the nature
and its beauty of the fall. Thousands of trees of maple and cherry have its
color of leaves turned into red and yellow in this period of season. Also,
one of the main events of this festival is the gorgeous and unique displays
of dolls and varied figures made of chrysanthemums. It has a long tradition
of over 40 years.
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November
Misawa City Industry and Culture Festival (beginning of November) *
This event provides an industrial market which assembles Misawa’s
traditional products all at once. They are displayed and sold to the general
public at the Civic Center, streets in front of the City Hall and the City Gymnasium.
Agricultural and fishery products prepared in original Japanese recipes are
enjoyed. You will see Japanese cultural demonstrations performed at the Civic Center, too.
Shimoda Salmon Festival (last weekend of November)
The main attraction of this event is the Salmon Hand-Catching. There will
also be entertainment, food and souvenir booths as well as fireworks on
Sunday night. Advance tickets to get you into the pool to grab salmons and
take them home are available at the Four Season’s Travel
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