Every year on August 14 and 15, the streets of Ota City in Gunma Prefecture come alive with enormous illuminated floats, powerful taiko drumming and plenty of summer festival atmosphere during the Ojima Neputa Festival.
The star of the festival is, of course, the neputa. Some of these towering floats measure more than 7 meters high and feature elaborate traditional designs. Visitors can get close to the floats as they pass, giving them a chance to appreciate the intricate artwork up close rather than simply watching from a distance.
The sound is just as impressive. Powerful taiko drumming accompanies the procession, including giant drums standing more than 3 meters tall. With enormous illuminated floats moving through the streets and the drums echoing around them, the festival offers a spectacular way to experience a Japanese summer tradition.
Although the Ojima Neputa Festival takes place in Gunma, its roots lie much further north. The tradition was introduced to Ojima in 1986 after the town established a sister-city relationship with Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture, home to a Neputa festival with centuries of history. The Ojima event has continued to grow and now attracts around 160,000 visitors.
The festival's two evening parades are followed by grand ensemble performances, adding even more music and energy to the celebrations.
