Akune has all sorts of fun events and festivals throughout the year, such as events for food made with local
ingredients, as well as matsuri that have been passed down continuously for generations.
The smiling faces of the locals are sure to entertain you.
There are also plenty of scheduled monthly events for both locals and visitors to enjoy, such as monthly morning
markets and small-scale live performances.
Starting and ending at the Akuneshi Sports Park, in this competition boys race in a 7-stage 42.195km course, and girls race in a 5-stage 21.0975km course. An exciting race unfolds as veteran long distance racers compete with white-hot fervor.
A festival exhibiting a rare dance from the Sakata region that has been passed down since the Edo
period.
The dance is a ceremony to express hopes for the prosperity of one's descendants. The target group
of the ceremony is very specific: firstborn daughters under 1 year of age born to families within
the Akune region. Held on Buddha's birthday according to the old Japanese lunar calendar, the
dancers carry the children on their backs as they dance. As the dance continues, the children are
passed from the grandmother to the mother and father, then to the relatives, and finally to friends.
A standard event held during Golden Week. Various events are hosted at the 3 major shopping areas in the Akune City region (train station area, Honmachi, and Daimaru-dori.)
Bring your family and friends to see the park's trees freshly budding and covered in vivid green leaves. Enjoy special attractions and live shows as part of this early summer festival.
A festival that people of all ages can enjoy. Features parades, Hanya Soh-odori dancing, and stage shows aimed at children. This festival is called "Midokoi" as a shortening of the Japanese words "midokoro ippai" (meaning "lots of things to see".)
Every month in August the Akune Fishing Association holds this festival in a fish unloading area. They sell fresh fish caught in Akune's coastal waters as well as seafood products such as salted/dried fish at prices that are even cheaper than market prices.
Similar to the one in the summer, this festival features fireworks and food.
The beautiful fireworks lighting up the autumn sky are not to be missed.
Festivalgoers can enjoy plenty of local food as well.
This is a nostalgic Akune fall tradition held by all of the elementary schools within Akune City. It's an athletic festival for people who have turned 50 years of age who represent their alma mater elementary school in athletic events. This unusual competition has been trademarked ever since 2006.
This race draws around 3,000 people from inside and outside the prefecture to run through a road full of trees dyed yellow with ripe bontan fruits. The course is officially certified by the Japan Track and Field Association. At the starting/finish line is a towering pyramid of bontan fruits.
Akune's largest product exhibition, held every year on the third weekend of December. Over 8,000 people come to this festival to enjoy food and stage events.
A traditional event held every year on the 10th day of January. This matsuri is dedicated to praying for abundant hauls of fish and safe voyages for the ships.
Fresh Fish Morning Market (Second Monday of every month, excluding August)
A market for buying freshly-caught fish, fish products, and salt-dried fish directly from the producers.
Akune Seasonal Morning Market (Third Monday of every month)
A morning market for seasonal foodstuffs and farm goods.
Music Day (Third Monday of every month)
A live show will be held in the train station's waiting room.
Kuakaran Jofuru-sato Market(4th Monday of every month)
Music Day
