Yotaka Festival

As spring ends and the tulips withers, Tonami, a lovely town in Western Toyama, welcomes the theatrical Yotaka festival usually held in the second weekend of June.

This festival is a colorful celebration as young and old come together to give prayers for good harvest in the rice fields.

The most unique aspect of this night festival is that neighbouring regions carry intricately designed mikoshi, Shinto shrines, made of paper ready for a spectacular battle.

Thousands of spectators line the narrow streets of Tonami to see these seemingly magically lit floats prepare for barrage.