The Hirakawa Neputa Festival opened on August 2nd in Hirakawa, Aomori.

Neputa and Nebuta are summer festivals in various parts of Aomori Prefecture, and `` Aomori Nebuta '' and ``Hirosaki Neputa'' are known for being designated as important intangible folk cultural properties of the country. One of the highlights of the Hirakawa Neputa Matsuri is the operation of the world's largest fan Neputa. The festival has been canceled for two years due to the new coronavirus, and this year it will be held for the first time in three years.

This year, more than 10 groups will not participate, and 18 groups will participate in the joint operation. The route has been changed, making it more than 400 meters longer than before. Aomori Prefectural Road No. 13 Owani Namioka Line (Oonami Bypass) was closed to traffic, and the service started near the south exit of Aeon Town Hiraga.

At the opening ceremony, Hirakawa-born actress Ren Komai, who was appointed as the "Hirakawa PR Ambassador" on August 1st, attended and cut the ribbon. Mr. Komai walked at the forefront of the joint operation.

The weather was not stable throughout the day, and it alternated between sunny and rainy during the joint operation. Because the floats are made of Japanese paper, they are vulnerable to water, so while some floats were covered with rain-blocking sheets, there were also groups of floats that had been soaked in the rain and operated while still wet.

A man in his 30s living in Hirakawa, who was watching the Hirosaki Neputa Festival yesterday, said, "I was moved by the gracefulness with which they prepared to get wet in the rain. It was the first time in three years that I saw the enthusiastic shouts and performances. , After all, 'Oraho no Neputa' (meaning 'my neputa' in Tsugaru language) is the best," he said with a smile.

On this day, the "World's No. 1 Fan Neputa", which served as the finale of the joint operation, was forced to operate with the sheet covered because of the heavy rain.

The Hirakawa Neputa Festival will continue on August 3rd.