When I arrived at Tokyo Narita International Airport, reporters for the television program "Why Did You Come To Japan" came up to me and asked the obvious question. I answered that I came for Japan's rich and lively summer festivals. Of course, I came for much more, and spent a wonderful month in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

This post features two traditional Japanese festivals: Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Japan's largest Nebuta festival, and Matsumoto Bon Bon, a relatively unknown energetic summer festival involving groups dancing until late in the evening.