Nebuta Festival

Aomori Nebuta Festival takes place every year from August 2nd to the 7th. Along with Akita Kanto Festival and Sendai Tanabata Festival, the Nebuta Festival is one of the big 3 festivals in the north eastern region of Japan.
Although not confirmed, it is said that the drowsiness from the Tanabata Festival will be driven out with the "drowsiness drowning".
What attracts over 30 million people ever year are the 5 meter tall doll float, Dashi, and the Haneto, the dancers that dance around the float. The sight of the performance made completely by the local people is truly a sight to see. You will feel a heat hotter than that of mid-summer in Japan.
On the last day of the festival, there is a firework show, the Aomori Hanabi Taikai, The combination of the festival and fireworks only happens on this day!
(picture source: Aomori Prefecture Tourism Information Site)