Akita Kanto Festival Tours and Travel

Reach the heavens!
A Milky Way of light descends on the town in prayer for a good harvest

The largest one is called "Oowaka," and is a 12-meter pole with 46 lanterns attached. To the sound of spirited music and the shouts of "Dokkoisho," the participants parade around, skillfully balancing the pole on their heads, shoulders, hands, and waists.
As they reach a more skilled level, they can be seen balancing the poles while holding the fans, which instantly heats up the excitement of the audience.

The performers manipulate over 200 kanto poles.
As many as 10,000 lanterns create a glowing Milky Way over the city of Akita, creating a fantastical summer night sky filled with excitement.
Not only does it serve as an event to convey the history of Akita domain and the culture and customs of the common people, but it has now become a beloved summer festival representing Tohoku, attracting many visitors from within and outside the prefecture, and even from overseas.