Kakunodate Festival | Semboku
Celebration
The Kakunodate Festival, originating in the 17th century, is a long-standing festival held annually in early September in Kakunodate City, Akita Prefecture. This festival blends art, music, dance, and dramatic interplay between floats. Since its inception in the 17th century, it has been jointly organized by shrines and temples, becoming one of Japan's most unique festivals. Eighteen elaborately decorated four-meter-high floats (called "hikiyama") adorn the streets with vibrant colors. As the floats are pulled through the streets by young people, people pray to Shinto deities and Buddha. Meanwhile, women in brightly colored kimonos perform local traditional dances.