Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse

Discover

About Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse

The Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse is the museum dedicated to the Nebuta festival, Aomori’s biggest celebration. It stands on the waterfront next to the central station, in a building wrapped by twisted red steel bands that recall the streamers hung around the city during the festival. The name mixes “wa,” meaning circle, and the shout “rasse,” which dancers repeat during the parade.

The main hall houses some of the large floats from the last festival, displayed life-size and internally lit. Each nebuta has a frame of wire and wood covered with painted Japanese paper, about 9 meters wide and 5 meters high, and depicts warriors, gods or scenes from legends and kabuki theater. The darkened room lets you see the details up close, something not possible during the parade.

Elsewhere in the museum, panels and videos explain the festival’s origins, linked to old summer rites meant to ward off drowsiness and evil spirits, and show how the master builders, the nebuta-shi, design and build the floats over months. Faces and hands from older nebuta are displayed in detail.

At set times there are drum and flute performances and visitors can try the drum and the steps of the haneto, the jumper dancer who goes alongside the floats. The shop sells items with festival motifs. Outside, the bay promenade leads to Aomori Bay Bridge and the A-Factory building, with apple products.