Noheji Gion Festival

About this event

The Noheji Gion Festival will be held from Friday, August 20 to Sunday, August 23, 2026, in Noheji Town, Aomori Prefecture. As the premier port town in the Nanbu Domain, Noheji fostered a culture brought by Kitamaebune trading ships, and this festival is one of its legacies. Known alongside Mutsu City's Tanabu Festival as Honshu's northernmost Gion festival, the four-day event begins on the first day with 'Shimeage,' the dedication of a sacred straw rope to Hachiman Shrine. On the second and fourth days, two-tiered floats are paraded jointly, with the refined sounds of Gion festival music played by children echoing with rich sentiment. On the third day, a spectacular 'Maritime Procession' (Kaijo Togyo) of about 150 boats takes place to symbolize prosperity in the seas of Noheji, and a fireworks display hosted by the youth division of the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry concludes the night. The marine parade led by the portable shrine is truly breathtaking. Because Noheji is located midway between the Nanbu and Shimokita regions, the festival is believed to have adopted a style where floats were added to the Gion festival format.

Venue

Shinmeigu Shrine

539 Noheji, Noheji-machi, Kamikita-gun, Aomori 039-3131