Item List

Hirosaki

Experience 'behind the scenes' of a festival! Ｗitness the Hirosaki Neputa floats come to life!

The giant fan-shaped "Neputa" floats can reach close to 10m in height! It takes local festival organizations around a month to construct a "Neputa" float and this experience program will let you participate in the ritual when the floats are bought to life! The Hirosaki Neputa Festival takes place over 6 days. One the eve before the first day, experience the rituals of the lighting ceremony, as locals pray for safety during the festival and perform Matoi dances for protection from fire etc. When the signal is given and the giant floats are lit-up, it really feels as if a giant creature has come alive – it will give you chills! After the ceremony, participate in a “Naorai” after party, drinking the ceremonial sake with the locals! Oh, and if you’re lucky, this is the only time during the festival where you might have the chance to participate in taiko drumming practice for the festival music - don't miss your chance!

5,000 JPY per person

Hirosaki

Watch the majestic ‘Neputa’ floats in relaxed comfort as you enjoy a meal of local cuisine served on traditional trays – a feast fit for a ‘Daimyo’ (feudal lord)! ~ 3 hours to quietly but unashamedly soak up a sense of superiority! ~

We have prepared special reserved seating from where you can appreciate the Neputa parade up close. Sit back and enjoy an ‘Obento’ style set meal of local cuisine while watching the parade of 80 Neputa floats of different sizes.

50,000 JPY per person

Hirosaki

Dive into the Neputa festival in Hirosaki! Rare chance to be a main participant in the parade!

Participate in the magnificent and brilliant Hirosaki Neputa Festival parade with a local festival team! Wearing the same festival costume as the locals and shouting the festival chants at the top of your lungs, being part of the parade of giant Neputa floats parade the streets is no doubt as exciting as an outdoor concert or lively club! After the parade, celebrate together with the other team members over a cold beer!

20,000 JPY per person

Hirosaki

Experience 'behind the scenes' of a festival! Neputa float dismantling experience…take a piece of Neputa home!

The giant fan-shaped "Neputa" floats can reach close to 10m in height! It takes local festival organizations around a month to construct a "Neputa" float, which is then paraded around the streets of Hirosaki for seven days before being dismantled after the final day of the festival period. This experience program will allow you to join the ‘hagasu’ element of the dismantling, when the painted washi rice-paper that covers the floats is carefully cut and peeled off. Gradually peel away the pictures of brave warriors, the bewitching beauty and even decorative clouds and lotus flowers, part-by-part. What’s more! You can even take home the picture of clouds and lotus that you cut off the Neputa yourself. Keeping a part of a real Neputa float that was actually paraded in the festival for seven days will surely make for a lasting memory!

6,000 JPY per person