・Experience the unforgettable Akita’s Kanto Festival as giant lantern towers sway gracefully against the night sky. ・During the day, enjoy the 'Hiru-Kanto' where performers compete in their Kanto skills, and at night, watch the main event from reserved seats as illuminated lanterns light up Akita’s summer skies. ・You can choose a night-only plan or a plan that includes both the daytime Kanto performances and the main night event. ・You’ll be guided to your seat by an English/Chinese speaking staff ensuring a smooth and worry-free Akita Kanto Festival experience.
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The Highlight
The Akita Kanto Festival-local people pray for bountiful harvests with giant lanterns which is called Kanto, and sway in the night sky. This festival is one of the most famous summer festival in Tohoku region, and also it is a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural property with a history spanning about 270 years. The players are required daily training and good sense of balance to manipulate. This traditional technique has been passed down for generations.
The Experience
The Akita Kanto Festival is one of Japan’s most spectacular traditional summer festivals, held annually in Akita City from August 3rd to 6th. It is especially known for its breathtaking nighttime performances in which skilled performers balance long bamboo poles—called kanto—decorated with dozens of paper lanterns lit by real candles.
These kanto poles can reach up to 12 meters (40 feet) in height and weigh as much as 50 kilograms (110 pounds). Performers balance them using only their palms, foreheads, shoulders, or hips, showcasing incredible balance and strength.
The festival is deeply rooted in local culture and began as a ritual to pray for a good harvest by warding off evil spirits and bringing in good fortune. Today, it is recognized as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset and draws crowds from across Japan and around the world.
Visitors can enjoy both daytime events, where teams compete in Kanto skill demonstrations, and nighttime parades, where illuminated kanto sway gently like ears of rice in the breeze—an unforgettable sight against the summer night sky.
Guide Services
Languages Spoken by Guides
- English
- Mandarin Chinese
Itinerary
- 13:00Meet in front of Hotel Pearl City Akita Kanto Street (Day and Night time plan)
- 14:00Daytime Kanto Competition (only for Day and Nigh time plan)
- 15:40The Daytime competition will end at 15:40
- 16:00Guided walking tour of the surrounding area (only for Day and Night time plan)
- Free time
- 18:00Meet in front of Hotel Pearl City Akita Kanto Street (Main Night Kanto Plan)
- 18:50Main night Kanto festival
- 20:50Main night festival at 20:50. The tour will end at the spot. You are free to leave from there.
How to Use
- Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at designated location.
Purchase Notice
- Seats cannot be selected.
- Infants who do not occupy a seat are free of charge.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation made at least 11 day(s) before departure date, Fully refundable (100% refund)
- Cancel during 8 ~ 10 day(s) of departure, will charge 20%
- Cancel during 2 ~ 7 day(s) of departure, will charge 30%
- Cancel on 1 day(s) before departure, will charge 40%
- Cancel on activities date, Non-refundable (0% refund)