The lantern poles are up to 12 meters (40 feet) tall and weigh up to 60 kilograms (132 pounds). Each has around 46 lanterns. They're shaped like cedar branches or the ears of rice plants.
In the days, lantern balancing competitions are held. The nighttime is focused on impressing the crowds who line up along a 1 kilometer stretch of Akita City's main street (Chuo Dori).
The performers are highly competitive with each other. The crowds (1.2 million people) cheer them on with chants of dokkoisho, dokkoisho! Musicians play traditional Japanese music with flutes and intense taiko drumming.
The Kanto Festival is ranked #5 of 100 best festivals in Japan
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