The Nebuta Festival (何臸步) was an important festival in Aomori City in summer. One of the customs during this festival was the impressive "TORO" floating. The Nebuta floats are made of a wood base, carefully covered with this same Japanese paper, beautifully colored, and lighted from the inside with hundreds of light bulbs (Candle in the old days). In early August the colorful floats are pulled through the streets accompanied by people dancing in native Nebuta costumes, playing tunes on flutes and drums. http://www.nebuta.or.jp/english/index_e.htm