The Kanto Festival held in Akita City, Akita Prefecture, located in Tohoku, the northeastern region of Japan, ranks alongside Aomori's Nebuta and Sendai's Tanabata as one of Tohoku's top three festivals. It has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Held annually from August 5 to 7, the Kanto Festival is to ask for an abundant grain harvest. It has become a symbol of Akita, a leading rice-growing area. During the festival, 1.3 million people throng the city streets.