The Hirosaki Neputa Festival is held in Aomori Prefecture during summer each year, and it's one of the country's best-known lantern events – it has even been designated as an important intangible folk cultural property. Numerous colossal lantern floats are intricately decorated and paraded through Hirosaki's streets, and it's truly a sight to behold.
If you're not in the Aomori area during the summer months, there is a chance to experience the event at the Hirosaki Neputa Asakusa Festival. This multi-day event has been running for over 10 years now, and brings some of the stunning lantern floats to Tokyo's Sensoji Temple precincts for attendees to marvel at. There will also be sales of local Hirosaki confectionery items and the ever-popular Aomori apples outside Uniqlo Asakusa a short walk away.
More information on the event schedule each day can be found on the official website.
