*Images are for illustrative purposes only.
– Directed and Operated by Akita-Native Team Members: Drones Illuminate the Night Sky of One of Tohoku’s Three Great Festivals to Celebrate Akita’s Charm –
TOKYO, Japan — Redcliff Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Komei Sasaki; hereinafter “Redcliff”), a leader in drone show planning and operation, will perform the first-ever drone show at the historic Akita Kanto Festival (Organized by the Akita City Kanto Festival Executive Committee Secretariat) on two designated days: Monday, August 3, and Thursday, August 6, 2026.
Designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan, the Akita Kanto Festival is celebrated as one of the “Three Great Festivals of Tohoku,” alongside the Aomori Nebuta Festival and the Sendai Tanabata Festival. In this cherished traditional event, participants balance towering bamboo poles (kanto) laden with numerous paper lanterns. The main pole represents an ear of rice, while the lanterns symbolize rice bales, all raised in prayer for a bountiful harvest. Drawing over one million visitors annually, it stands as an iconic summer spectacle representing Akita.
Official Website: https://www.kantou.gr.jp/
The drone show will take to the skies immediately following the main kanto performances. A fleet of 500 drones will light up the night sky, crafting vivid formations of iconic Akita motifs, including the famous Akita dog and the traditional kanto poles. With team members native to Akita involved in both the direction and operation, the performance brings a deep personal passion for their hometown, showcasing the rich charm of Akita to the world.
Bringing the Legendary Art of Myogi to the Night Sky Through Drones
The drone show will reinterpret “Myogi”—the traditional technique where performers skillfully balance towering kanto poles on a single point of their body, shifting them seamlessly from palm to forehead, shoulder, and waist. This extraordinary master craftsmanship will be brought to life using cutting-edge drone formations.
With deep respect for the history and culture of the Akita Kanto Festival—a tradition cherished for over 270 years—Redcliff merges this rich heritage with advanced technology to convey Akita’s charm in a fresh, captivating way. Through this performance, the project aims to help preserve and pass down Akita’s regional culture to future generations while sharing it with audiences both across Japan and around the world.
Directed and Operated with Hometown Passion by Akita-Native Team Members
Redcliff’s team members native to Akita are taking the lead in directing and operating this drone show. Having grown up with Akita’s rich culture and scenery, they bring deep personal passion for their hometown into every aspect of the performance, creating a breathtaking new spectacle on the night of the historic Kanto Festival.
As the lingering excitement of the main kanto performances fills the air, visitors are invited to look up and enjoy a night sky brought to life with the unique beauty and charm of Akita.
Comment from Komei Sasaki, CEO of Redcliff Inc.
“Akita City is where I was born and raised, and the Kanto Festival has been a truly special event that I looked forward to every single year growing up. Having participated as a sashite (pole balancer) for the Kamikaminocho district, I grew up watching the flickering light of paper lanterns sway against the night sky up close.
Looking back, that magical night sky and the experience of sharing that sense of wonder with so many people looking up at the same heavens directly inspired our company’s current mission: ‘Bringing Surprise and Emotion to the Night Sky.’
It is an absolute honor to be entrusted with the first-ever drone show at the deeply meaningful Akita Kanto Festival. Alongside our Akita-native team members and with the utmost respect for tradition, we hope to showcase Akita’s charm through dynamic, drone-enabled expressions, helping to pass our rich local culture on to future generations.”
Akita Kanto Festival Drone Show Event Overview
Dates & Time: Monday, August 3, and Thursday, August 6, 2026 / Scheduled to start around 8:35 PM each day
Location: Akita City, Akita Prefecture
Viewing Area: Kanto Boulevard (Kanto-dori)
Fleet Size: 500 Drones
Organizer: Akita City Kanto Festival Executive Committee Secretariat (Akita City Tourism Promotion Division)
Production & Operation: Redcliff Inc.
Please Note:
In the event of adverse weather or other conditions that make flying unsafe, the drone show may be canceled or the performance content may be modified.
