Nebuta and Tachi Neputa

Nebuta is one of the biggest festivals in Japan, folks will come from all over Japan to watch the giant paper floats.  Additionally anyone is allowed to participate in the parade, shouting chants and jumping around.  Nebuta ended the next day with a fireworks show over Aomori Bay.

Tachi Neputa is a festival in Goshogawara, a nearby town.  Tachi means vertical in Japanese, and the floats are indeed upright.  Some are even three stories tall.  I'm honestly surprised that some of them didn't tip over.