Goshogawara

This museum is dedicated to Goshogawara City’s Tachineputa Festival. Although similar in origin to other area neputa/nebuta festivals, the 70 ft tall floats that dwarf most city buildings as they parade through the streets make this version quite unique. The Tachineputa Hall has several floats from previous years on display, as well as hands-on areas where visitors can make their own miniature floats, Tsugaru kites, or Japanese fans. Visitors who come during the months leading up to the festival are encouraged to assist the float builders as they affix paper to the wire frames of the floats. The lounge on the top floor is a great place to grab something to eat while enjoying a great view of the area. On a clear day, both Mt. Iwaki and the Hakkoda Mountains are visible, and visiting after dark provides a great view of the city lights. The small art gallery on the 2nd floor mainly features local artists.

The writer's childhood home. An important cultural property built in the Meiji Period. Quite a large old house of interest to history and architecture buffs as well as Dazai fans.

A museum dedicated to the Tsugaru version of the three-stringed Japanese lute. Closed in winter: December to March.

One of the most spectacular summer festivals in the region, Goshogawara Tachineputa is famous for its gigantic floats. Measuring 70 ft tall and weighing more than 17 tons, the floats dwarf most of the surrounding buildings as they parade through the city streets. In addition to revelers yelling "yatte-mare, yatte-mare!", the parade procession is made up of taiko drum performances on gigantic drums, traditional hand dances, and even the occasional Japanese jester. This amazing festival and its rich history dating back to the early 1900s were almost lost due to devastating fires that ravaged the city. The festival had all but disappeared when photographs and plans of the original floats were rediscovered in 1993. A small but dedicated group of citizens were determined to revive the festival to its original glory, and in 1998, after nearly 80 years of absence, Tachineputa floats once again paraded through the city streets.