The Hirosaki Neputa Festival is a summer festival celebrated in Aomori and shouldn’t be confused with the Aomori Nebuta Festival. They each honor different parts of wartime. One focuses on preparing for battle, while the Hirosaki Neputa Festival commemorates the return of troops. It has a 300-year deeply rooted history and cultural significance. That makes it a cherished event for locals and a fascinating experience for visitors. Rural villagers initiated the Neputa Festival to counteract the drowsiness that sets in during the hot summer and busy farming season. It was recognized as an Importa…