Aomori Nebuta 2011 (3): I’ll be back!

Although staying four nights in Hirosaki seemed like a long time for a small city, it turned out to be too short a stay. We’d spent one evening at the Hirosaki Neputa, two at the Aomori Nebuta, and one at the Goshogawara fireworks festival.

While the fireworks were dazzling and the Neputa an interesting variation of a float parade, the Nebuta had arguably the most to offer, and regrettably we missed the grand finale, on August 7.

Besides the evening parades from August 2 to 6, the last day of the matsuri is quite different – there is a parade featuring the floats in the day, and in the evening, the floats will parade on the waters of Aomori Bay, against the backdrop of a fireworks display. I was gutted that I couldn’t be there. (By then, we had to be in Sendai, our final stop)

And as a prelude to the Nebuta, there is also a fireworks event at Asamushi Onsen (浅虫温泉), a hot springs town just about 30-45 minutes away from Aomori City. Just imagine soaking in an outdoor onsen while viewing fireworks!

Anyway here are some more pictures taken at the Nebuta. Once again, all on Kodak Portra 800 film, Nikon F6 with the AIS 35mm f1.4 lens and SB900 flash.

“We’re going to the matsuri!”

Performers ending off the Sept 4 parade on a high. お疲れ様でした！

A baby with a goldfish cap! The goldfish is a traditional motive in the Aomori festivals, but the exact origins are unclear.

The food stalls are swamped with customers after the parade ends.

A man preparing some sort of colourful, sugary snack, as patrons look on.

Flavoured ice seller on a push-cart. Just 150 yen a pop!

The parade may have ended, but the beer parties go on through the night! This group beckoned me to take a picture, and I gladly oblige.

A little girl waiting for her parents? She is holding a packet of grilled sausages.

Photo call #1: Girls chilling outside the convenience store

Photo call #2 (the boy looks sleepy)

Photo call #3: Youth selling Mickey Mouse hairbands

Before we left for Akita the next day, I even considered staying in Aomori prefecture for just one more night, but we’d already made all our hotel bookings.

I shall have to come back again!