Akita Kanto Matsuri

Held annually from August 3 to 6, the Akita Kanto Matsuri (秋田竿燈まつり) is a premier harvest festival and one of the “Three Great Festivals of Tohoku.” It is famous for its kanto—massive bamboo poles decorated with rows of hanging lanterns that represent glowing sacks of rice. While mid-sized poles are roughly 8 meters tall, the largest, known as Owakha, stand 12 meters high, weigh 50 kilograms, and hold 46 candle-lit lanterns. During the main evening event on Kanto Street, over 280 of these poles are raised simultaneously, creating a shimmering “forest of lanterns” that sways against the night sky.

The highlight is the myogi, or technical skill, displayed by the sashite (performers). Each pole is balanced by a single individual who maneuvers the weight onto their forehead, shoulders, or hips without using their hands. As the night progresses, performers add bamboo extensions, causing the poles to arch dramatically over the crowds to the sound of hayashi flutes and drums. Spectators contribute to the high-energy atmosphere by shouting “Dokkoisho, dokkoisho!” in rhythmic encouragement.

While the evening procession is the most famous, the daytime Myogi-kai (skill competitions) held near the Area Nakaichi plaza offer a better opportunity to see the balancing techniques in detail without the nighttime crowds. Kanto Street is a 15-minute walk from Akita Station, but the sidewalks reach capacity by 6:00 PM; securing a spot near the center median provides the best view of the sashite as they rotate positions. Visitors should note that because real candles are used, a pole that topples often results in a flurry of activity as performers quickly relight the lanterns to resume their display.