Nakashibetsu Natsu Matsuri (Nakashibetsu Summer Festival), Hokkaido

In Japan, paper lanterns have been used for festivals, ceremonies, etc. for a long time. Originally paper lantern was a special one that can only be used by people of the upper class such as aristocrats and samurai, but since the middle of the Edo era it has become a popular lighting fixture for the general public as well. A paper lantern which can be said as a representative being reminiscent of the summer festival in Japan. About 6000 such lanterns lined up in the sky like a shower is “Nakashibetsu Summer Festival” which is a bon festival held in Hokkaido. If you wish, you can put your name on this lantern.
This is a perfect festival for those who “want to participate as well as view”. Also, this festival is one of the attractions that the parade and the “Tanoshi-Atarashi Bon Odori Tournament” where anyone can jump in is held. At the Bon Odori competition, an event will be held in which dancers are invited and all the participants enjoy the unusual Bon dancing in earnest. The fireworks display to be held the previous day, the Bon Odori dancing around the oversized ‘yagura’ stage on that day, and the local gourmet of the stalls are noteworthy. “Costume Bon dancing” held at the finale is also an attention event. This is a festival where you can have plenty of fun, from children to adults regardless of age.
The unique feature of Nakashibetsu Summer Festival is that the lanterns are very attractive. A lantern is decorated around the main venue’s tower and surrounding it. There are not many festivals with so many lanterns.
The festival is held every year for two days on Saturday and Sunday, the second week of August, and there are many events such as Yosakoi, Parade and Bon Odori. There are a lot of stalls, and things unique to Hokkaido are also on sale, so it is a festival that everyone wants to visit.
The highlight of the Nakashibetsu Summer Festival is the lighting up of the lanterns when it was dark at night. No matter where you look for other festivals, you have never seen a festival that creates such a fantastic space. It is especially recommended at night because it is attractive enough not to regret even if you visit.
Fireworks are launched on the eve and later nights of the main festival. Nakashibetsu’s air is so clear that you can see beautiful fireworks from anywhere. Therefore, there is no recommended secret spot. Even from a distance of more than 3 km from the festival venue, you can see beautiful and clean fireworks.
The Nakashibetsu Summer Festival is crowded every year at night compared to daytime. The reason is that there is a lantern light up. However, because the local population is not so large, there is no worry about the car causing heavy traffic at any time. In some cases, road regulation will be required, but it will not be bothered because it is not particularly concerned.
Access to “Shirubetto Square”, the central venue of the festival, will take about 10 minutes by car or local bus from Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport.
The “Nakashibetsu Summer Festival” is held in Nakashibetsu Town in the middle of the vast Konsen Plateau in Higashi Hokkaido. An extra large yagura will be installed at the venue, and about 6,000 lanterns, the best in Japan, will color the summer night sky. Enjoy a short summer at a variety of unique events such as the Manto YOSAKOI Festival and fancy dress dance.

Nakashibetsu-cho town of east Hokkaido

“The Nakashibetsu Natsu Matsuri” (the Summer Festival) is a festival held in Nakashibetsu-cho, Hokkaido on second Saturday and Sunday in August every year.

The lantern of 6,000

Nakashibetsu-cho is the town located in the center of vast Kushiro plateau of east Hokkaido. An extra-large tower is installed in the main site of the festival, and the lantern of approximately 6,000, which is admired as No. 1 in Japan, light up the summer night sky.

Various events

Many unique events like “a lantern portable shrine”, “a leading dance”, “YOSAKOI Festival” including “disguise Bon festival dance” are performed.

Splendid fireworks

You can enjoy approximately 7,000 fireworks including the star mine by the eve of the summer festival. Music fireworks and an extra-large star mine are something worth seeing among others.

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