02
Summer
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- Kitaakita Fireworks Show
- Dazzling fireworks show held in early July on the banks of the Yoneshiro River. Around 3,000 fireworks light up the night sky to ring in the arrival of summer.
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- Tsuzureko Shrine Festival
- For over 750 years this festival has been held to pray for rain, an abundant harvest, and protection from pests. The people of Tsuzureko divide into two factions with their own enormous drums. Each side takes turns giving the yearly offering at the Tsuzureko shrine. Be sure to watch the prosession of the drums as well as the dances performed at the shrine.
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- Lake Towada Summer Festival
- Celebrate the start of summer with games, fireworks, and food at Lake Towada. Dance shows, boat races, and other events are held during the day, with a 2,000 piece fireworks show at night. View the show from one of several sightseeing boats for a truly spectacular experience.
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- Kamikoani Project
- Kamikoani Village plays host to a wide range of artists, musicians, and performers during this one of a kind art fair. Exhibitions are open around the village in former schools, small mountain hamlets, and other interesting venues.
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- Kosaka Tanabata Festival
- Started around the end of the Meiji period by miners who came to Kosaka for work. Every neighborhood in town creates their own colorful float which are paraded through town. The festival reaches a climax on the second night when all of the floats meet in the center of town.
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- Odate Daimonji Festival
- ukata clad dancers, school bands, and Yosakoi dance groups parade down Odate's Hachiko-Dori street. In the evening, a large Japanese character is lit on fire on the slopes of Mt. Hoou-zan as a fireworks show begins along the river.
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- Nekko Bangaku
- Swords flash, sparks fly, and onlookers are spellbound while watching the Nekko Bangaku dances. The wild performances originated in ancient Kyoto and were brought to Akita generations ago. On August 14th, the dances are performed to ward off diseases and pray for a bountiful harvest.
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- Ani Fireworks Show
- Hundreds of paper lanterns are released down river to guide spirits of the deceased back to the spirit world during the Japanese "day of the dead". After the lanterns are released, a fireworks show is held by the riverside.
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- Ayu Festival
- Annual festival celebrating the plentiful ayu (sweetfish) in the Yosheshiro River. Ayu grilling, traditional dances, and a fireworks show at night are held along the riverside. Participants in the tradtional dance are automatically entered to receive a free prize!
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- Kitaakita Jomon Festival
- The Jomon Festival began after the Isedotai Site was designated as a Historical Site. Children can learn all about Jomon (ancient Japan) through fun activites and crafts. Some of the events include necklace making, clay figure making, and more.
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- Kitaakita Takanosu Drum Festival
- For one day only, two rival areas perform together in a heart (and drum) pounding display. Each area climbs atop their gigantic drums whose deep tones can be heard far away. Smaller Japanese drum clubs from around the town also perform on stage.
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- Odate Shinmeisha Festival
- For over 400 years the Shinmeisha festival has been the most anticiapted annual event in Odate. Each neighborhood pulls elaborate floats carrying dancers and musicians around the city during the day. At night the groups meet in the town center for ceremonial blessings and a cleansing water fight on the second night.