Aomori Nebuta Matsuri

This grand event takes place during the first week of August. The population of Aomori is increased ten-fold during this week. People wear a light cotton kimono called a Yukata in traditional "Nebuta" style, which basically means they wrap colorful fabric around themselves in strange ways and stick bells on their bodies. They take to the streets in mass amounts, usually dancing with a float. Oh yes, and they chant "RA-SE-RA" as they dance. There are Taiko drums and various wind instruments playing the Nebuta theme song (I really don't know what else to call it in English). People line the streets and offer water, beer and sometimes sake to the dancers. If you can imagine bunnyhopping across a city for 4 hours or so- you might be able to get an idea of how exhausting the whole thing is! Oh yes- and whistles. I guess all I can really say is... If you hear a whistle... WATCH OUT! :)