Hirosaki's convenience stores and railway companies are currently developing a project with the theme of the canceled "Neputa Festival".

The "Neputa Festival" is a summer festival held in the Tsugaru region, and official events in each area were canceled this year to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Participating groups and citizens are carrying out the Neputa Festival, which is unique to this year, such as alternative projects, small-scale operation, and online events.

A Neputa coloring contest is held at the Tsugaru Domain Neputa Village near Hirosaki Park ( Kamekocho , Hirosaki City, TEL 0172-39-1511 ) in collaboration with 30 Family Mart stores in Hirosaki City. The project is to paint the new sketches newly drawn by the Neputa artists belonging to Neputa Village. Once the Neputa paintings are finished, they will be displayed in the store. "Adults" and "Children" category "Store Awards" are selected from the exhibited works, and a QUO card is presented.

Family Mart's Hokkaido/Tohoku Region Hirosaki Sales Office representative said, “We thought about what we can do as a community-oriented person in order to raise the atmosphere of the depressed city because it was canceled due to the Neputa Festival. If there is an application, and if we can liven up Tsugaru's summer as much as possible," he said.

Neputa pictures for application are distributed at each store. The distribution period is until July 25. The application deadline is until the 26th. The exhibition period at each store is scheduled until August 31, and the "Store Award" works will be exhibited at Neputa Village from August 1 to 23. On August 8, he will select the grand prize from the works collected from the city.

At the "Hoshino Resorts Kai Tsugaru" (Owanimachi), 7 new send-off pictures and 1 mirror picture (not for sale) newly written by the Tsugaru Nishiki-e Association are displayed and sold for the guests under the title "Neputa Alternate Festival". To do. We also provide services such as "Neputa painting experience" using actual drafts drawn by Neputa artist. "It's a pity that it was canceled, but if you can propose a way to enjoy it this year," says General Manager Misato Endo. "I wanted to support the Neputa artist who lost his playing field," he said.

On the Konan Railway Owani Line, on July 24th, the "Owani Line In-Car Neputa Painting Exhibition" will be held, displaying 27 fan-shaped Neputa drawings drawn by nine Neputa artists in their teens and 20s. The Mannakazukuri Executive Committee, which is sponsored by this committee, is an organization centered on students who organizes to convey the appeal of the Owani Line. On August 1st, Neputa paintings by nine Neputa artists will also be exhibited at "Gallery Mannaka" in Hirosaki Chuo Station. The exhibition period is up to 8 days.

Mr. Yudai Nomura of the executive committee said, “There was a plan to display Neputa pictures on the train for more than a year, but it was realized in an unexpected way. We would like to have a plan to connect it to Neputa from next year. If you can enjoy it on the train while securing a social distance," he smiles.