Aomori lies nestled between the Hakkoda Mountains and the Mutsu Bay in the northern part of Japan’s Honshu island. This region, known for its rugged coastline, thick forests, and deep winters, is also home to one of Japan’s most vibrant cultural celebrations–the Nebuta Matsuri. Every August, the city comes alive with the pounding of the taiko drums, rows of street food tents, and the glow of giant, illuminated paper lantern floats; called the Nebuta. These floats, crafted with incredible artistry depict legendary warriors, mythical creatures, and scenes from Japanese folktales.
For centuries, the Nebuta Matsuri has been a defining feature of Aomori, yet it lacked a physical home that existed after the annual celebration. Despite the festival’s importance, the floats were often discarded after their brief, luminous moment in the spotlight. The absence of a dedicated space to preserve this artistry left an opportunity to elevate and celebrate this tradition year-round. Enter the Aomori Nebuta House, a museum designed to share these works of art and their magic with the world.
A Bold Vision for Tradition
The Nebuta House was completed in 2011, designed by molo design a production studio based in Vancouver, Canada, in collaboration with d/dt and Frank La Riviere Architects. At first, the proposal for the Nebuta House was met with hesitation. The Nebuta Matsuri was already a vibrant part of Aomori’s identity, celebrated in the streets every year. The city believed a museum was unnecessary–why confine something that was already so alive and celebrated for many generations?
Despite this resistance, Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen, the founders of molo, made a compelling case. The Nebuta floats, while cherished during the festival, had little permanence beyond it. Today, their design embraces the Nebuta’s beauty while highlighting its cultural importance, ultimately transforming the museum into a space for both education and celebration.
the flowing ribbons of Aomori
from the moment you approach nebuta house, its bold exterior captures your attention. the building is wrapped in 820 twisted steel ribbons, the building appears as if in motion. these deep red ribbons were bent and twisted manually, creating openings for light, air, and passage. the ribbon structure not only enhances the building’s aesthetic but also creates a unique architectural feature–a modern interpretation of the traditional japanese engawa.
an engawa is a transitional space between indoors and outdoors, often seen in traditional japanese homes, shrines, and temples. it serves as a bridge between the natural and built environments, offering a moment of pause. At the nebuta house, the engawa blurs the boundary between the city and the mythical world within. visitors experience a sense of anticipation as they move through this space, with light and shadow playing across the steel ribbons, evoking the ephemeral beauty of the festival itself.
juxtaposition of dark and light
stepping inside, nebuta house is like entering another world. in contrast to the bright, lively exterior, the interior is designed as a shadowy sanctuary for the nebuta. visitors ascend to the second floor through a series of dimming galleries, as the sounds of the festival grow–drums, and flutes build around them. emerging onto a darkened platform, they are suddenly face-to-face with the nebuta, suspended in mid-air, their vibrant colors glowing against the black backdrop.
The space has the feel of a black box theater, with minimal detailing so that the Nebuta floats take center stage. Their brilliant colors reflect off a rippled, water-like floor, evoking the final day of the festival when some of the floats are ceremoniously set adrift on the sea. Here, the Nebuta are no longer just fleeting symbols of the festival; they are revered artworks–breathtaking creations worthy of year-round admiration.
Crafting a space for the future
Despite the challenges of working within a conservative budget, the Nebuta House is more than just a museum–it’s a space for creativity to flourish. Although the project faced budget constraints, the building has become a flexible venue for workshops, conferences, and cultural events. It’s also a place where tradition meets innovation, as artists from various disciplines come together to share ideas and collaborate.
This museum not only celebrates the Nebuta but also reimagines its role in modern public life. By elevating the floats beyond their traditional festival setting, the Nebuta House ensures that this unique craft continues to inspire future generations while opening the door to new artistic possibilities.
Photo Credits: All images featured in this blog are courtesy of molo design and have been shared with permission.