This is the time of the year for the famous Japanese Nebuta Matsuri festivals. Large colorfully decorated floats made of wood, bamboo and paper are paraded around the cities of Aomori, Neputa and Tachi Neputa. There are both daytime and night time events. The night time events are more dramatic looking with the floats all lit up.
http://www.nebuta.or.jp/english/index_e.htm
And some beautiful festival pictures by photographer Evan Pike here:
http://evanpike.smugmug.com/gallery/3289980#182635039