Artists Prepare For Aomori Nebuta Float Festival
Japanese artists are in the final stages of building huge paper lantern floats for one of Japan's most popular summer festivals, which is set to begin in the northern prefecture of Aomori in less than one month. The event is being held this year for the first time since 2019.
Aomori's Nebuta Festival features colorful floats depicting legendary heroes and samurai warriors. The annual event was canceled over the past two years, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This year's festival is set to take place from August 2 to 7. Seventeen groups are expected to participate in the processions.
Nebuta artist Tatsuta Ryuho is working on a float featuring the gods of wind and thunder. He says it took him three years to come up with the design.
The artist said he is looking forward to showing his new float after two years of waiting.
He added that this summer will be special, as the float parades are coming back with haneto dancers and hayashikata musicians.
Anti-coronavirus measures will be in place during the six-day event.