Photo: Rosino / CC BY-SAThe Kanto Matsuri runs only from 3 to 6 August, but the festival centre keeps full poles year round — twelve metres, fifty kilograms, forty-six lanterns — and runs demonstrations by people who actually perform in it.
Then they let you try. Lifting the pole at all is the achievement; balancing it on a palm, forehead, shoulder or hip is not going to happen. Failing to hold fifty kilograms of bamboo teaches you more about the festival than any video of someone succeeding.
Five things the plaques won't tell you
- Live performances run only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from April to 31 October, 13:30–14:10; on weekdays you can still try the pole in the hall.
- The adjoining Former Kaneko House, a late-Edo merchant house, is included in the ticket and is worth twenty minutes.
- If your call is 3–6 August, ignore all of this and stand at the roadside in the evening.
- Ask to try the pole. They expect visitors to and they will not laugh at you.
- The building also covers Akita's other festivals, which get much less attention and deserve more.
Failing to hold fifty kilograms of bamboo teaches you more about the festival than any video of someone succeeding.
Guided days from Akita
Booked before you sail — there is no tour desk at the pier. Booking through these links supports the site.
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Spot guideKakunodate
Black wooden walls, weeping cherries, and a street plan from 1620
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Spot guideSenshu Park
A castle with no stone walls, and a red-brick bank that survived everything
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Spot guidePort Tower Selion
A free 100 m lookout over the Sea of Japan, a short walk from the berth
Open the guide →Questions people ask here
Can I see the Kanto poles outside the festival?
Yes — the Neburi Nagashi-kan in central Akita keeps full twelve-metre, fifty-kilogram poles year round and runs scheduled demonstrations by actual festival performers. They also let visitors try to lift one, which is the useful part.
How much does the Kanto Festival Center cost?
¥130, which includes the adjoining Former Kaneko House; ¥370 combined with the Akarenga museum. Cards and e-money accepted. Live performances are at 13:30 on weekends and holidays from April to 31 October only.