The “Nebuta Matsuri” festival, one of three largest in Japan, in Aomori, at the northern tip of Honshu island. It refers to the float of a brave warrior-figure which is carried through the centre of the city, to the sound of flutes, cymbals and large drums, with dancers in colourful “haneto” costumes, in early August. The last day of the festival the floats are carried during the day and in the evening these are then put on boats and parade in the sea, watched by thousands on the shore. Because of the rain, the paper-mache figures were protected by large sheets of transparent plastic.
AloJapan.com