Nebuta

Nebuta refers to large illuminated paper floats used in the Nebuta Matsuri, a summer festival in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. The floats are built on wooden frames and covered with washi paper, which is painted with dramatic scenes—typically warriors from Japanese history, mythic figures, or gods. Inside each float is a light source, currently electric lamps, which make the artwork visible at night; previously candles or oil lamps were used.

The floats are several meters tall and are carried through the streets by teams of participants wearing traditional happi coats. The festival portion of Nebuta Matsuri takes place annually in early August, with processions at night from around August 2 to 7. The floats are accompanied by hayashi music—taiko drums, flutes, and other percussion—while dancers in colorful outfits, known as Haneto, perform in front of and around the floats.

Nebuta is part of a broader family of lantern festivals in northern Japan. In nearby areas, notably Hirosaki, a related Neputa festival uses elongated, fan-shaped floats with a somewhat different style and timing. The Aomori Nebuta tradition has developed through the Edo and modern periods, guided by dedicated local craft workshops and community associations.

The Nebuta Matsuri is a major cultural event in the region and a popular tourist attraction. The city hosts facilities such as the Nebuta Warasse museum, which preserves and displays historical floats from past festivals.