Chichibu Night Festival

The annual grand festival of Chichibu Shrine held every December in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture. The spectacle of ornate floats and kasaboko being hauled up steep slopes under winter fireworks is breathtaking. Registered as part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage 'Yama, Hoko, Yatai float festivals,' it is counted among Japan's three great float festivals.

The annual grand festival of Chichibu Shrine held December 2-3 in Chichibu, Saitama. The spectacular sight of ornate floats and kasaboko illuminated against the winter night sky with fireworks ranks it among Japan's Three Great Float Festivals. Inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016, it is known as the pinnacle of winter festivals.

The annual festival of Chichibu Shrine in Saitama, held December 2-3. One of Japan's three great float festivals, its highlight is the dramatic hauling of lavishly decorated floats up steep Dango-zaka slope. The dreamlike combination of winter fireworks and illuminated floats is spectacular. Registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

A festival held twice annually in spring and fall in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. A tradition from the Edo period, elaborate floats decorated with intricate carvings and lanterns parade through town. Floats feature complex mechanized puppets known for technical precision. Counted among Japan's three major festivals and registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Festival culture integrated with Takayama's town.

A festival held in spring and autumn in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, with traditions continuing from the Edo period. Elaborate floats are the main attraction, featuring intricately carved dolls depicting folk tales and historical scenes. Closely connected to Takayama's machiya (townhouse) culture and highly valued as a Japanese cultural heritage.

A premier summer festival of the Tohoku region held every August in Aomori City. Enormous illuminated warrior-themed floats called nebuta parade through the streets while dancers known as haneto leap to the chant of 'Rassera.' It is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.