One of Japan's biggest summer festivals has kicked off in the northeastern city of Aomori.
The Aomori Nebuta Festival is known for its spectacular floats that parade through the city.
The floats, called "Nebuta", carry huge illuminated paper lanterns shaped like legendary heroes and ancient warriors.
The parade started on Saturday night with 15 floats, each about 5 meters high and 10 meters wide. They were accompanied by dancers known as "Haneto" wearing matching traditional summer kimonos.
They jumped and shouted to the sounds of bamboo flutes and drums.
Spectators along the street who came from all over Japan applauded as the Nebuta and Haneto marched by.
The festival runs through Thursday and is expected to draw more than 2.8 million visitors.
Azertac