Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival

Every summer in the small city of Goshogawara in Aomori Prefecture, something massive rises into the night sky. Towering as high as a seven-story building and glowing with vibrant colors, the giant floats of the Tachineputa Festival are unlike anything else in Japan. If you’ve never heard of it, that’s all the more reason to go. The Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival is one of Japan’s best-kept secrets and a spectacular fusion of art, tradition, and sheer scale.

The word “tachineputa” literally means “standing Neputa.” These colossal lantern floats can reach up to 23 meters tall and weigh more than 19 tons. Each float is a hand-crafted masterpiece featuring fierce warriors, mythological scenes, and historical figures. They are illuminated from within and accompanied by rhythmic drums, flutes, and hundreds of local dancers and musicians parading through the streets. The atmosphere is electric, the streets are packed, and the floats cast enormous shadows on the cheering crowds below.

The festival takes place every year from August 4 to 8 and dates back to the early 1900s. However, the original version faded over time due to modernization and urban constraints. In the late 1990s, local citizens decided to revive the tradition, and they did not hold back. Instead of creating modest floats, they went big. Really big. Today’s tachineputa are constructed inside a dedicated Tachineputa Museum during the off-season, and you can even watch artisans painting and assembling them by hand.

What makes this festival special is not just the size of the floats but the emotion and energy behind them. The people of Goshogawara take incredible pride in their heritage, and it shows in every detail. From the musicians playing taiko drums with synchronized precision to the volunteers guiding the enormous floats with ropes and sheer muscle, everyone works together to bring the tachineputa to life.

As a visitor, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the energy. You can join the crowd, grab some local street food like grilled squid or apple-based sweets, and cheer as the floats pass by just inches away. The lights flicker, the drums echo in your chest, and for a moment, it feels like you’ve stepped into a mythical world.

Unlike the more famous Nebuta Festival in Aomori City, the Goshogawara version has a more intimate, community-driven feel. It’s less commercial, more authentic, and just as visually impressive. If you’re planning a trip to Japan in summer, this festival is a must-see. It’s a journey into northern Japan’s artistic soul and a rare chance to experience something that feels both ancient and alive.

So pack a fan, bring your camera, and make your way to Goshogawara. The tachineputa are waiting.