Wa Reese Nebuta

 

Nebuta Warasse is a museum which hosts the 5  “retired” Nebuta Festival floats that paraded the year before. (they are changed every year). This famous festival in Aomori is unique because it is not linked to any specific temple or shrine. Though there are many legends as to why,  origin is still a mystery today.  If you have never been to Nebuta Festival or missed it, you can not only view the floats here but also touch the ones in the touch Nebuta exhibit and experience a performance of Haneto dancing with live musical accompaniment. (three times a day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays). 

While we were there, we were also encouraged to learn the Haneto dance, and play the drums or cymbals!

In the museum section they also have a simulator where you can create your own Nebuta face. (It’s the blue thing in the back, it changes colors depending on what you pick on the screen) .

 

The museum also hosts a café, restaurant and gift shop.

Admission is found on the second floor and the prices for admission are as follows :

Adult:  ¥600

High School Student: ¥450

elementary/jr.high student: ¥250

If you decide to drive, there is a fee for parking (¥210 for a standard car for the first hour and an additional ¥100 every half hour). If you pay to enter the museum you are not charged for your first hour in the parking lot.

 

Nebuta Warasse

1-1-1 Yasukata, Aomori-shi

phone: 017-752-1311

http://www.nebuta.jp/warasse/

Nebuta Festival

The Nebuta Festival is in Aomori City. We made the mistake of going on the very LAST day of the festival so it was extremely crowded! Not only the festival was crowded but we went there by train and it filled up FAST! We went home on the speed train and it
                            
was much more comfortable. (less people, air conditioned, personal seats). The floats went by but I couldn’t see anything because there were so many people. BUT afterward they did have them on display so I could at least see them! I felt like I didn’t do much at the festival, I spent most of my time waiting in line for the restroom. (which was inside the triangle building). We had some fried chicken and chicken skin and that was a bit of a mistake on my part. Waaay too greasy for my weak stomach. Well, lesson learned. I do love festival food though, it seemed they lacked variety at this one , but  we did only stop at one food stand. (I didn’t see too many.) Of course, there was a spectacular fireworks display as well. We went on Saturday and I heard that on Tuesday evening it was not as crowded. Next time we’ll go earlier. If you want to beat the crowd for a festival, go early in the week! That’s all for this post. Ja-ne!