Giant Paper Lanterns On Wheels

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Usually you’d have to hie yourself all the way up to rural Aomori* to catch a glimpse of these epic glowing floats, but lucky for me, last fall I happened across an outpost of the Nebuta Festival right in my own backyard! For some mysterious reason, six of the outrageously great floats were swanning down the shopping street near Nakanobu Station (yeah, I’d never gotten off there before either!) in mid-September, and they did not disappoint.

Warriors no less fierce because they're made out of paper
Warriors no less fierce because they’re made out of paper
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His banner reads “Nakanobu Nebuta Festival” – proof that these aren’t just borrowed finery
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You can get an idea of big these things are YIKES the signs on either side were in danger
You can get an idea of big these things are YIKES the signs on either side were in danger

The grandaddy of all Nebuta festivals takes place on its home turf in Aomori at the beginning of August, but this mini version happens every two years in Tokyo, on the Nakanobu shopping street near Nakanobu Station. The next one will happen in September 2020, so plan ahead!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 
The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for
Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense on Amazon

For three hundred years, a missing tea bowl passes from one fortune-seeker to the next, changing the lives of all who possess it…read more

“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist

Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

Published by Jonelle Patrick

Writes all the Japan things.

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