Akita Kanto Festival 2026 | August 4 | Akita, Japan
The Akita Kanto Festival is held every year from August 3 to 6 in Akita City, Akita Prefecture.
It is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan and is one of the Three Great Festivals of the Tohoku region.
The many lanterns are designed to resemble golden ears of rice, symbolizing prayers for a bountiful harvest and protection from illness and misfortune.
It is one of Akita’s most iconic summer traditions.
History and Characteristics of the Festival
Origins: The festival has a history of approximately 270 years and is believed to have originated in the mid-Edo period from a tradition called Neburi Nagashi (“sleepiness washing away”), a ritual intended to ward off summer illnesses and evil spirits.
Appearance: The entire Kanto pole represents an ear of rice, while each lantern is said to represent a bag of rice.
Scale: Around 280 Kanto poles fill the night sky. The largest poles reach approximately 12 meters in height and weigh about 50 kilograms.
Types of Kanto Performance Techniques
Nagashi (Flowing): The performer balances the Kanto on the palm while sliding the pole and adding extension poles to make it taller.
Hirate (Palm): A basic technique in which the performer balances the Kanto on the palm and raises it high above the head.
Hitai (Forehead): The performer balances the Kanto on the forehead while spreading both arms to maintain balance.
Kata (Shoulder): The performer balances and supports the Kanto on the shoulder.
Koshi (Hip): An advanced technique in which the performer balances the Kanto on the hip.
00:00 Akita Kanto Festival 2026
00:11 Kanto Entrance
17:08 First Performance
48:07 Second Performance
1:20:58 Third Performance
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