Inuyama-jokamachi

The Inuyama Festival dates back to 1635 and takes place each spring at the base of Inuyama Castle. Thirteen three-tiered floats, each standing over eight meters tall, parade through the old town streets, carrying mechanical karakuri dolls that perform plays from Japanese mythology to the sound of flutes and taiko drums. The festival holds UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status. The most striking moment comes at night when each float is lit with exactly 365 lanterns, the flickering light catching the historic streetscapes and, when timing aligns, the cherry blossoms overhead. Each float belongs to a different neighborhood, and the community rivalry behind their maintenance goes back centuries.