Summer festivals in Tohoku burn up within a short period of time. Once "Tsuyu," or the rainy season unique to Japan ends, summer in Tohoku starts to heat up.

"Nebuta," a float and dance festival in Aomori, "Kanto," a lantern festival in Akita,"Tanabata," a star festival in Miyagi, "Hanagasa," a Bon Dance festival with flower hats in Yamagata, "Sansa," a Bon Dance festival in Iwate, "Nomaoi," a horse-chasing festival in Fukushima, Fireworks Festival in Nagaoka city in Niigata...Though descriptions of the festivals are different such as a fire festival, a festival for consoling the souls of ancestors, or a festival praying for good harvest, they equally excite the enthusiasm of the Japanese people. Some festivals with a history of several hundred years are designated as Important Intangible Cultural Assets, and provide good opportunities for visitors to touch the heart of culture and spirituality of Japan and Tohoku.

As the archetypes of Japanese festivals are rites of entreaty for successful crops, and many autumn festivals are held to thank the gods for a bountiful harvest across the region. These idyllic and homely festivals, quite different from the summer festivals, are very lyrical.

The region also offers the joys of the winter festivals. "Enburi" in Hachinohe city, Aomori Prefecture is a festival praying for bumper crops. The Japanese government designated this festival as Important Folk Intangible Cultural Asset. "Namahage" is a new year festival in Oga, and "Kamakura," a dome made of hardened snow in Yokote, both of which are in Akita Prefecture, still represent traditions of popular religion and customs. "Tokamachi Snow Festival" in Niigata Prefecture is a winter festival having its roots in recent history. It is an event that turns the disadvantages of snowy regions into a strength. It has grown into a big event and during the festival time, 200 thousand tourists visit the city, which has a population of a mere 70 thousand.

Some festivals are colorful, some are ceremonious, and others are idyllic. In Tohoku, you can enjoy different festivals in different prefectures and areas, which is another charm that the region offers to visitors.

Numerous fine traditional craftworks have been handed down from generation to generation in Tohoku, some of which have histories of over 1000 years. Even the origin of relatively new crafts dates back 400 years, when feudal lords protected local crafts to encourage new industries in their domains. Such crafts gradually established production centers and their traditions were succeeded into the end of the Samurai period.

"Urushi" lacquer is one of the traditional crafts representing Japan, and is highly admired abroad. This particular craft has a very long history. Urushi-lacquer ware has been found at archeological sites of the ancient Jomon era of 5000 years ago. It is one of the most representative and popular traditional crafts to the Japanese people. "Tsugaru-Nuri," "Hidehira-Nuri," and "Aizu-Shikki" are "Urushi"-lacquer ware or "japan" that attract worldwide attention. The beauty created by many layers of carefully coated Urushi captivates the hearts of the people in the Western world as well as in Japan.

"Nambu-ironware" and "Yamagata casting" are famous for the iron kettles utilized in the Tea Ceremony. Unique Japanese fabrics, such as "Ojiya crepe" in Niigata and "Oitama pongee fabrics" in Yamagata are products connecting us to the tradition of the kimono. Tohoku is a treasure house of these varied traditional craftworks.

Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture was built in the last years of shogunate rule, and still stands today. A millennium-old five-story pagoda at Haguro-san Shrine, Yamadera Temple/Risshakuji Temple, all of which are located in Yamagata Prefecture, are examples of the temples and shrines that have become symbols of popular religion and reverence.