Escorted in Japanese: Akita Kanto Festival

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Witness a centuries-old tradition when you attend the annual Kanto festival. Dating back to the 17th century, the festival is held to pray for a good harvest. In the early evening, you will take a shuttle from the pier to the city center and disembark at a designated spot and walk to your reserved seat. Marvel as 200 performers each carrying a kanto march past you. Using only their hips, shoulders or foreheads, young people wearing traditional costumes take turns carrying 26-foot-high bamboo poles shaped like the ears of rice plants and decorated with 46 paper lanterns. Performers then parade through the town to the sound of flutes and drums. By carrying the heavy poles, it's believed that evil spirits are driven away, and people can offer prayers to Shinto and Buddhist gods. At the festival's conclusion you can hop on the shuttle and return to the ship.

Special Notes:

Guests will need to take shuttle bus. Shuttle drop off spot is approx. 15-20mins away from the seating area. It will be very crowded at the area. Guests cannot choose seating. Waiting time for return shuttle bus is expected due to traffic condition. Guests with walking difficulties are not recommended to join this tour. No wheelchair space is available at the area.
This tour is not guided tour.
Kanto Festival (B seating-plain beach seat on the street, Festival leaflet, Festival Fan, ticketing fee included)

Transfer from Ship to Drop off point, spend time around drop off point, walk to the seating area
(Due to staggered departure time, this duration differ depending on the bus)

Waiting for seat opening, watching festival (guests take return shuttle at their timing so this duration differs depending on the guests)

Walk to shuttle point, transfer from town to Ship (this duration will be changed depending on shuttle's waiting time).