Tohoku · AomoriFestival
Five ornate floats, Gion music borrowed from Kyoto, and a farewell ceremony over barrels of sake — Tanabu Matsuri closes out Tohoku’s festival summer.
Overview
Tanabu Matsuri is the grand festival of Tanabu Shrine in Mutsu City, at the base of the Shimokita Peninsula, and it is the largest festival on the peninsula. Five dashi floats, each belonging to a district of the old town, are pulled through the streets over three days.
Because it falls on 18–20 August, it is traditionally regarded as the finale of Tohoku’s summer festival season — the last of the region’s big matsuri before autumn. The plaintive Gion-bayashi music played during the parade descends from Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri, carried north centuries ago.
When and Where
Fixed dates of 18–20 August every year; in 2026 that falls Tuesday to Thursday. The 18th is the eve-of-eve, the 19th the eve, and the 20th the main day.
The action centres on Tanabu Shrine at Tanabu-cho 1-1 and the surrounding streets. Float departures run late — around 21:30 on the 18th, 22:00 on the 19th and 22:30 on the 20th.
What to Expect
- Five floats: Inari-yama, Shojo-yama, Daikoku-yama, Ebisu-yama and Koroho, each from a different district
- Gion-bayashi music descended from Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri
- Kagura and nomai dedications at the shrine each day, typically from mid-morning and again in the evening
- A mikoshi procession on the main day, 20 August, with the floats lit up from around 18:20
- The “Gosha-wakare” finale, when the five floats gather at the Hon-cho intersection to share barrel sake and pledge to meet again next year
- The Oshimako Nagashi Odori street dance alongside the festival on 18 August
Admission and Practicalities
Free to watch. This is a street festival with no ticketed seating.
There is no parking around the venue and the organisers recommend public transport. Tanabu Shrine handles enquiries on 0175-22-7470.
Tips for Visitors
If you can only manage one night, make it the 20th — the Gosha-wakare late that evening, in front of the Michinoku Bank branch on Hon-cho, is the emotional heart of the whole thing.
Shimokita Station is about 8 minutes by car from the venue, and services on the Ominato Line are sparse. Book accommodation in Mutsu rather than planning to leave the same night.
Published timetables shift on the day depending on weather and float progress. Treat any schedule as indicative.
Access and Map
| Dates | 18–20 August 2026 (annual, fixed dates) |
|---|---|
| Times | From approx. 09:30 daily; floats depart 21:30 (18th), 22:00 (19th), 22:30 (20th) |
| Venue | Tanabu Shrine and surrounding streets, Tanabu-cho 1-1, Mutsu City |
| Access | Approx. 8 min by car (2.8 km) from Shimokita Station, JR Ominato Line |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | Shimokita Tourism / Mutsu City |
