15. Higashinada Danjiri: Kobe

Overview

Higashinada Danjiri involves a parade of floats, decorated with images of people, plants and animals. They're pulled by teams of veterans and ridden by energetic young performers that lean out over the crowd. This is a tradition of Higashinada Ward, in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. In front of the ward office, the floats are lifted up, and brought down in a bowing motion. Local high school students design the costumes, and performers create a festival atmosphere with drums and bells.