A Classic Japanese Summer Festival: Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival
Introduction
The Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival is a traditional Japanese summer festival that takes place in August every year. It is known for its parade of sky-high floats called neputa, which are enormous and colorful. This festival is similar to the Aomori Nebuta and Hirosaki Neputa festivals, but with a unique twist. The neputa floats in Goshogawara are “standing” neputa, towering at 23 meters (75 feet) tall, making them as tall as a seven-story building. In this article, we will explore the highlights of this festival, how to get there, the magnificent tachineputa floats, the lively music and dancing, the benefits of a small-town festival, the festival’s long and colorful history, and other attractions to visit in the area.
Highlights of the Festival
The Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival is famous for its parade of colossal 23-meter floats. These floats are a sight to behold, with their intricate designs and vibrant colors. The festival also offers visitors the opportunity to participate in building the floats at the Tachineputa Hall. Additionally, the sixth-floor lounge of the hall provides outstanding views of the festival and the surrounding area.
Getting There
Goshogawara City can be easily accessed by train or car from either Aomori City or Hirosaki City. The city is located in the northwestern side of Aomori Prefecture and is closer to Hirosaki than Aomori. From Aomori Station, visitors can take the JR Ou Line train to Kawabe Station, and then change to the JR Gono Line to Goshogawara Station. The journey takes approximately 75 minutes. From Hirosaki Station, the Ou Line will take you to Goshogawara Station via Kawabe in around 50 minutes. If traveling by car, it is roughly a 50-minute drive from either Aomori or Hirosaki.
The Magnificent Tachineputa Floats
The tachineputa floats of Goshogawara City’s festival are truly impressive. Standing at a towering height of 23 meters, these floats feature intricate, three-dimensional designs of samurai, beasts, and mythical characters. The word “tachineputa” is a combination of “tachi,” meaning “standing,” and “neputa,” referring to the style of float. What sets these floats apart is not just their size but also the way they are moved. Each float weighs around 19 tons and is manually pulled by ropes. The float carriages are carefully pivoted to change direction as they make their way through Goshogawara’s narrow streets.
Lively Music and Dancing
The music and taiko drums that accompany the parade in Goshogawara create a lively and energetic atmosphere. Due to the smaller size of the city compared to Aomori and Hirosaki, the music and drumming seem louder and more vibrant. The participants in the parade shout “yatte-mare, yatte-mare!” which roughly translates to “Go get ’em!” This tradition originated from a time when the floats competed against each other, and fights would break out between the people pulling each float.
Small-Town Benefits
One of the advantages of the Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival is its accessibility and smaller scale. Despite the large crowds, there is usually enough space for everyone to find a seat. Once the festival starts at 7 p.m., people stand, dance, and join in on the revelry. Unlike larger festivals, visitors do not have to compete for a spot to see the parade, making it a more comfortable and enjoyable experience.
A Long and Colorful History
The Goshogawara Neputa Festival has a rich history that dates back over 100 years. During that time, wealthy landowners competed to build the tallest neputa floats. However, in the 1920s, overhead power lines were installed, limiting the height of the floats. Additionally, a series of fires destroyed the original float blueprints. The blueprints were thought to be lost forever until one was discovered at the base of a neputa in 1993. This discovery led to the revival of the huge neputa, which were renamed “Tachineputa.” In 1998, the city buried its electric wires underground, and the festival was revived as the “Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival.”
Things to Do Around the Festival
While visiting the Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival, it is worth taking the time to explore the surrounding area. One recommended attraction is the Tachineputa Hall, which is a five-minute walk from Goshogawara Station. Visitors can even participate in the making of the floats if they visit a few months before the festival. The sixth-floor lounge of the hall offers panoramic views of the area, allowing visitors to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. For fans of the writer Osamu Dazai, a visit to the Dazai Museum is a must. The museum is located in the house residence where Dazai was born and can be reached by taking the Tsugaru Tetsudo Line from Tsugaru Goshogawara Station for approximately 30 minutes.
Conclusion
The Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival is an extraordinary event that showcases the grandeur of Japanese traditional festivals. With its towering neputa floats, lively music and dancing, and rich history, this festival offers visitors a unique and memorable experience. Whether you are a local resident or a tourist, the Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival is a must-see attraction in Aomori Prefecture. So make sure to mark your calendars and witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the Tachineputa floats at this remarkable summer festival.
Address And Maps Location:
506-10 omachi, Goshogawara-shi, Aomori-ken
Find Location And Direction On Google Maps
Subscribe, follow travelbloggerindonesia.com