The Hirosaki Neputa Festival opened on August 1st for the first time in three years.

The Hirosaki Neputa Festival has canceled joint operations in 2020 and 2021 due to the influence of the new coronavirus. This year marks the 300th anniversary of the appearance of Neputa in literature, and special events and sponsorship projects are being planned under the title of "Hirosaki Neputa 300th Anniversary Festival."

About 80 groups participate in the joint operation every year, but this year 46 groups. On the first day of the festival, 22 groups took the field. It was held in the form of measures against infectious diseases such as wearing masks, disinfecting, and applauding for spectators and participating groups.

At the departure ceremony, Hirosaki Sakurada, chairman of the Hirosaki Neputa Festival Management Committee and mayor of Hirosaki City, said, "Although it was held in the midst of many restrictions, we will make the Neputa festival that we have inherited into a festival that will not be ashamed of our predecessors. I want to pass it on to the next generation," he said.

It had been raining since the morning, and Neputa, who was lined up in the waiting area, was covered with a sheet to keep out the rain. Although there was a brief shower of light rain, most of the Neputa floats were stripped of their seats during the joint operation, revealing the gorgeous, lively appearance of the floats. .

A man in his 70s said with a smile, "It's the first time I've ever seen a festival with so few Neputa participants, but once the festival started, there was no gap for two years, so I was excited." A man in his 40s who was watching along the road said, "When you say 'Welcome home,' summer has finally returned."

Until the 7th of this month.