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Aomoriya

Goldfish Festival, a traditional Japanese summer surrounded by 350 Goldfish Neputa Lanterns

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Hoshino Resorts Aomoriya, a hot spring inn fully displaying the rural culture of Aomori, will organize a special summer event , the ”Goldfish Festival”, from June 1st, 2024 to August 31st, 2024. In Aomoriya, local culture, starting with "matsuri" festivals, can be felt everywhere, and events are regularly held with themes inspired by regional traditions of each season. In summer, the hotel will hold the ”Goldfish Festival”, with a theme inspired by the "goldfish neputa" , that are traditional giant paper floats shaped as goldfish used during Aomori Nebuta Festival.
In the past, there was a species of fish called the "Tsugaru Nishiki" that was only allowed to be kept by feudal lords of the Tsugaru domain, It is said that people dreamt of possessing this fish and thus created replicas with goldfish paperfloats. This Aomori summer tradition was kept and cherished up to the present. At our special event, guests will be able to experience a true Aomori summertime through "goldfish neputa" related activities and a festive "matsuri" atmosphere.

Features

1A colourful "Goldfish Nebuta shaved ice" inspired by the festival paper floats

Shaved ice with flavored syrup is a popular refreshing dessert available at any Japanese summer festival. We recreated the cute round face of the goldfish with shaved ice covered in apple-flavored red syrup, and we used festive colourful fruits to represent its distinctive tail. In addition, we put some cassis jam inside the shaved ice, Aomori being the first producer of cassis in Japan and since it is a summer seasonal fruit. This adds a refreshing sweet and sour touch and allow guests to have a taste of Aomori seasonal products.
The shaved ice dessert, perfect for summer, is served in a fishbowl shaped vessel and is reminding of a “goldfish neputa” swimming in its round aquarium.

 

Time : 3PM to 6PM (Last order : 5:30PM)
Location : Yottemare Bar
Price : 1,100 JPY (taxes included)
Notes : Limited to 10 meals a day

2Goldfish Fortune Telling : "Fish" your fortune out of the water

Goldfish scooping is a traditional summer Japanese game in which a player scoops goldfish with a paper scooper called “poi”. We created slightly twisted version of the game where instead of scooping a fish, you get your fortune told on the “poi” paper scoop by plundging it in the water. On top of telling you if you get a good or bad fortune, a few words of advice in Aomori’s dialect will be inscribed for you to better enjoy your stay at Aomoriya. You can take home the paper scoop with the fortune inscribed as a souvenir of your trip.

 

Time : 3PM to 8PM
Place : Jawamegu Hiroba
Price : 550 JPY for one (taxes included)

3An apple candy stall you cannot miss with its giant goldfish paperfloat

It is said that in the early Meiji period, during the festival season, the people of Aomori put up a goldfish lantern standing on a stick at the gate of their house (* present day “goldfish neputa”). They would place a round water tub under it and watched the lights swaying on its surface while waiting for the festival nebuta paper floats to come. (*3) To recreate this typical Aomori summer atmosphere, we installed an apple candy stall about 4 meters high representing a giant goldfish lantern. The apple candies served at the stall are made in the shape of goldfish neputa, and have large tail fins made from cookies. You can enjoy the firm sweetness and sourness of the apple, as well as its crisp texture.
*3 Reference: Aomori Nebuta Festival Executive Committee Secretariat http://www.nebuta.jp/listen/goldfish/info.html

 

Time : 3PM to 6PM
Place : Jawamegu Hiroba
Price : 550 JPY for one (taxes included)
Notes : Limited to 30 pieces a day

4The Goldfish Neputa Lantern Corridor : surrounded by 350 goldfish neputa

During the time of the event, 350 goldfish neputa will decorate the passage connecting the Jawamegu Hiroba in the center of Aomoriya and the West Wing. Unlike the upward-facing tail fins commonly seen in the streets, Aomoriya goldfish neputa is an original representation of the long, large tail fins of “Tsugaru Nishiki” goldfish species which droop when suspended and appear to swim gracefully. It is one of the spots in Aomoriya where you can take photos with goldfish neputa lined up all around.

 

Time: All day
Location: Jawamegu Square
Price: Free

Period
From June 1st, 2024 to August 31st, 2024
Participants
Reserved to hotel guests only
Notes
The contents are subject to change.
Website Link
https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/aomoriya/