The Goshogawara Tachi Neputa Matsuri. Awesome is too little a word to describe this festival.
The August Nebuta/Neputa Matsuri in Aomori-shi, Hirosaki-shi, and Goshogawara-shi are some of the largest festivals in Japan.
Many years later I had the honor of being invited by the Mayor of Goshogawara-shi to be one of the people pulling/pushing the newest 70+ foot tall Tachi-Neputa in the Matsuri. WHAT an experience! I got invited again a couple of years later.
All in all, an amazing thing to do. Something few westerners get a chance to experience. I treasure those memories. Last time was 2009.
Found this U-Tube video:
‪72 Foot Tall Japanese Floats - 2010 Goshogawara Tachi Neputa Matsuri‬‏ - YouTube
best,
..................john