The Akita Kanto Festival is one of Japan’s most spectacular traditional summer festivals, held annually in Akita City from August 3rd to 6th. It is especially known for its breathtaking nighttime performances in which skilled performers balance long bamboo poles—called kanto—decorated with dozens of paper lanterns lit by real candles.These kanto poles can reach up to 12 meters (40 feet) in height and weigh as much as 50 kilograms (110 pounds). Performers balance them using only their palms, foreheads, shoulders, or hips, showcasing incredible balance and strength.The festival is deeply rooted in local culture and began as a ritual to pray for a good harvest by warding off evil spirits and bringing in good fortune. Today, it is recognized as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset and draws crowds from across Japan and around the world.Visitors can enjoy both daytime events, where teams compete in Kanto skill demonstrations, and nighttime parades, where illuminated kanto sway gently like ears of rice in the breeze—an unforgettable sight against the summer night sky.