Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana to Japan Hotsireene Morake visited Aomori on August 2 and experienced Aomori Nebuta Festival.

Ambassador Morake visited Aomori for the first time in February when his close friend, calligrapher and Japanese-style painter Takui Maruyama, held a solo exhibition at the Aomori Museum of Art. In April, I went to Hirosaki Park to see the cherry blossoms, and this time I made my third visit to Aomori with Mr. Maruyama and Second Secretary Julia Legwaira, to coincide with the opening of the Nebuta Festival. Ambassador Morake says he is a “fan of Aomori”.

Ambassador Morake, who paid a courtesy visit to Aomori Mayor Hideki Nishi, said, “I am happy to be back in this beautiful city with Mr. Maruyama. I hope it will be an opportunity to deepen our friendship," he said. In response, Mayor Nishi said, "Welcome to Aomori. I hope you will enjoy the world-famous Nebuta Festival, which starts today."

After the pleasant conversation, they exchanged souvenirs, Ambassador Morake presented the country's photo book, and Mayor Nishi presented a tumbler of Aomori's handicraft "Tsugaru Vidro".

In order to participate in the Nebuta Festival, Ambassador Morake changed into a haneto costume and "formal", and then ate seafood unique to Aomori, such as spiny crab and scallop sushi. In the middle of the meal, we spent some time until the Nebuta began, learning how to jump to match the nebuta's palms and shouting "Rassera, rassera!"

At the festival venue, Ambassador Morake took a commemorative photo with Mayor Nishi, who rejoined the city, and interacted with Miss Nebuta. When they saw the colorful Nebuta floats and haneto floats, they were deeply moved by the "beautiful festival" and smiled.

Ambassador Morake experienced Haneto for about an hour and enjoyed his first Nebuta festival.