The World’s Tallest Paper Sculptures ― Tachineputa in Gosyogawara
Goshogawara City, located on the Tsugaru Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture, is famous for Neputa, or Nebuta, one of the oldest summer festivals in Japan and is celebrated in many cities across Aomori Prefecture every year.
Every summer, the world’s tallest paper sculptures, known as Tachineputa, parade through Goshogawara City. The 23-meter-high illuminated creations, weighing 19 tons in total, feature legendary samurai warriors and folk heroes. Following the multicolored giants, locals chant “Yattemare!” (now or never) while dancing to flutes, drums and bells played by traditional Japanese musical performers known as hayashite. With each sculpture taking an entire year to create, Goshogawara City pulls out all the stops so that the floats can be enjoyed at the festival, which lasts just five days from August 4.
The Tachineputa no Yakata (Tachineputa Museum), where the sculptures are preserved and displayed, is like an airplane hangar. It also serves as a studio for their creation and is a must-see for visitors. The 7-story-high Tachineputa Museum has an astoundingly high ceiling housing three huge Tachineputa floats. Even in this spacious area, it already seems packed with all three paper giants illuminated by 1,000 lights bulbs standing still and waiting for their once-a-year outing.
As well as Tachineputa, Goshogawara City and its surroundings offer many attractions, including a century-old manor house built by a rich landowner. Enjoy the views of the expansive Tsugaru plains stretching out from the foot of beautiful Mt. Iwaki, also called the "Fuji of Tsugaru" and please discover Goshogawara's rich culture, history, and local food. Immerse yourself in the authentic local atmosphere of Tohoku region.
Every summer, the world’s tallest paper sculptures, known as Tachineputa, parade through Goshogawara City. The 23-meter-high illuminated creations, weighing 19 tons in total, feature legendary samurai warriors and folk heroes. Following the multicolored giants, locals chant “Yattemare!” (now or never) while dancing to flutes, drums and bells played by traditional Japanese musical performers known as hayashite. With each sculpture taking an entire year to create, Goshogawara City pulls out all the stops so that the floats can be enjoyed at the festival, which lasts just five days from August 4.
The Tachineputa no Yakata (Tachineputa Museum), where the sculptures are preserved and displayed, is like an airplane hangar. It also serves as a studio for their creation and is a must-see for visitors. The 7-story-high Tachineputa Museum has an astoundingly high ceiling housing three huge Tachineputa floats. Even in this spacious area, it already seems packed with all three paper giants illuminated by 1,000 lights bulbs standing still and waiting for their once-a-year outing.
As well as Tachineputa, Goshogawara City and its surroundings offer many attractions, including a century-old manor house built by a rich landowner. Enjoy the views of the expansive Tsugaru plains stretching out from the foot of beautiful Mt. Iwaki, also called the "Fuji of Tsugaru" and please discover Goshogawara's rich culture, history, and local food. Immerse yourself in the authentic local atmosphere of Tohoku region.
