The "Kuroishi Neputa Festival" opened on July 30 in Kuroishi, Aomori, for the first time in three years.

"Neputa/Nebuta" is a nationally designated important intangible folk cultural asset, and is a summer festival held in various places in Aomori Prefecture. In Kuroishi, it is held from July 30th to August 5th. This year, it was held for the first time in three years while implementing measures against the new coronavirus infection.

Every year, more than 50 groups participate in the joint operation, but this year there are 13 groups. Some groups canceled their participation at the last minute due to the nationwide spread of infections. The Kuroishi Junior Chamber, which hosts the festival, has called on the organizers to wear masks and refrain from eating and drinking, and to ask spectators to avoid crowds and refrain from cheering and talking.

In order to prevent the three Cs, the 'Nakamachi Komise-dori' course was discontinued, and instead it was changed to Tomita-dori, which connects Miyuki Park and Kuroishi Station. Akihiro Chiba, Chairman of the Junior Chamber International Kuroishi, said, "Unfortunately, we were not able to see the Neputa up close from Nakamachi Komise Street, which can be said to be the biggest attraction of the Kuroishi Neputa, but it will be held for the first time in three years. I can only thank you for making it through," he said.

The spectators who gathered along the route gave warm applause to the shouts of "yare, yareya".

The joint operation of the Kuroishi Neputa Festival will continue on August 2nd.