Akita: Swaying Lanterns Brighten Summer Nights

The Akita Kanto Festival attracts more than a million tourists every year. One kanto pole is lit with 46 lanterns and more than 250 poles are raised up together, creating a dreamlike picture of illuminated golden rice ears swaying in the night sky. The festival can also be enjoyed in the daytime, where competitions called "Myogikai" are held and the performers compete in showing their acrobatic skills. Our traveler is Malaysian model Deborah Ten. She enjoys the festival and the pastoral scenery of summer in Akita.