Misawa Matsuri may be canceled but the lights live on

Though this year’s big summer festivals are canceled nationwide, in Misawa, city officials have decided to illuminate the city center as a nod to what would be their largest event of the year, Misawa Matsuri.

Every year in late August, for the last 96 years, the city would shut down Omachi Shopping Arcade via America Hiroba up to Misawa Air Base’s main gate for the four-day summer festival. The event was the peak of the season with mikoshi and floats parading, food booths, games, performances and more.

But, due to COVID-19, we’ll have to wait to celebrate until next year. In the meantime, dozens of traditional chochin lanterns have been strung along the main street leading up to the center of Misawa by the Misawa Chamber of Commerce and Industry through Aug. 25.

The lanterns are a reminder of the good times from festivals past and the good times that are sure to follow in the coming years.