Since the arrival of the Nebuta in L.A. in 2007, the majestic lighted floats are a spectacular highlight of the Nisei Week parade.
L.A. Nebuta began when an authentic Aomori Nebuta float first appeared in the Nisei Week Japanese Festival in August 2007. The 17-foot-tall Nebuta float, “Shingen (Samurai Warrior),” debuted as the grand finale of the Nisei Week Grand Parade, marking its first appearance in the mainland U.S.
Created by renowned Nebuta artist Hiroo Takenami, the float was dismantled in Japan, shipped across the Pacific, and reassembled in Los Angeles. Illuminated by more than 600 lights and accompanied by over 200 Haneto dancers, taiko drummers, flute players, and percussionists,
“Shingen” brought the excitement and energy of the Aomori Nebuta Festival to thousands of spectators in Little Tokyo. The overwhelming response from the community established Nebuta as a beloved part of Nisei Week and strengthened cultural ties between Aomori and Los Angeles.
A major milestone was reached in 2015 when L.A. Nebuta became more than an imported cultural tradition. Under the leadership of Nebuta Master Artist Hiroo Takenami, a team of artisans traveled from Aomori to Los Angeles and worked alongside local volunteers to build a Nebuta entirely in the U.S.
The result was “Tsugaru Straits, Yoshitsune Crossing the Sea,” the first U.S.-built Nebuta to appear in the Nisei Week Grand Parade. The following year, a second original Nebuta, “Kintoki,” continued the tradition. These floats demonstrated that Nebuta culture could thrive far beyond its birthplace in Aomori and became symbols of friendship, cultural exchange, and community collaboration between Japan and the U.S.
Today, LA Nebuta proudly stores both “Yoshitsune” and “Kintoki” at the Aomori Kenjinkai Hall in Little Tokyo. The organization’s mission extends beyond the annual parade. Every Saturday, members of the Nanka Nebuta Bayashi Hozonkai gather to practice traditional Nebuta festival music, including taiko, flutes, and percussion, helping preserve and pass on the traditions of the Aomori Nebuta Festival to future generations.
As one of Japan’s three great summer festivals, the Nebuta Festival is known for its giant illuminated floats, energetic Haneto dancers, and vibrant music. Through the dedication of volunteers on both sides of the Pacific, L.A. Nebuta continues to share this unique cultural experience with Southern California audiences.
For nearly two decades, L.A. Nebuta has brought the spirit of Aomori’s Nebuta Festival to Los Angeles. From the arrival of “Shingen” in 2007 to the locally built Nebuta floats that followed, it has grown into a cherished tradition that continues to connect generations, communities, and cultures.