Nebuta First Appears in Little Tokyo (2007)
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On August 19, 2007, Nebuta first appeared in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo as part of the Nisei Week Japanese Festival. This marked the first appearance of an authentic Aomori Nebuta float on the mainland United States and its debut as the grand finale of the Nisei Week Grand Parade.
The 17-foot-tall Nebuta float, titled “ Shingen (Samurai Warrior)”, was created by renowned Nebuta artist Mr. Hiroo Takenami, a master craftsman with more than twenty years of experience in Nebuta production. The float was carefully dismantled in Japan, shipped across the Pacific Ocean, and reassembled in Los Angeles.
Illuminated by more than 600 lights, the giant Nebuta captivated thousands of spectators lining the streets of Little Tokyo. Accompanying the float were more than 200 energetic Haneto dancers, whose colorful costumes and lively movements brought the spirit of the Aomori Nebuta Festival to Los Angeles. Traditional festival music performed by taiko drummers, flute players, and percussionists completed the authentic Nebuta experience.
The overwhelming response from the community demonstrated the strong cultural connection between Japan and Los Angeles. Since its debut in 2007, Nebuta has become a beloved tradition and a highlight of the Nisei Week Grand Parade.
Kodomo Nebuta (2009–2010)
The success of the original Nebuta float in 2007 inspired the community to continue bringing the spirit of the Aomori Nebuta Festival to Los Angeles. As a result, Kodomo Nebuta was introduced to the Nisei Week Grand Parade in 2009 and 2010.
In Aomori, Kodomo Nebuta refers to smaller-scale Nebuta floats that are often featured in local community celebrations. To continue the Nebuta tradition in Los Angeles, Kodomo Nebuta floats were transported from Aomori and featured in the Nisei Week Parade.
Although smaller in size than the original “Shingen” Nebuta, these floats allowed parade participants and spectators to experience the artistry and excitement of the Nebuta Festival up close. The Kodomo Nebuta also provided opportunities for local children, families, and community members to learn about and engage with this unique cultural tradition.
The participation of Kodomo Nebuta in the Nisei Week celebrations helped sustain public interest in Nebuta culture and strengthened cultural ties between Aomori and Los Angeles during the years following the debut of the original Nebuta float.
Keeping the Spirit Alive (2011–2014)
Born in the USA: Nisei (Second-Generation) Nebuta! (2015–2016)
A major milestone in the history of LA Nebuta was reached in 2015, when a Nebuta float was built entirely in Los Angeles for the first time.
Under the leadership of Nebuta Master Artist Mr. Hiroo Takenami, a team of skilled Nebuta artisans traveled from Aomori to Los Angeles and spent nearly a month working alongside local volunteers and community members. Together, they constructed and painted a brand-new Nebuta from the ground up, sharing traditional techniques and fostering cultural exchange throughout the process.
This achievement marked the birth of a true “Nisei (Second-Generation) Nebuta”—a Nebuta created in the United States while preserving the artistry, craftsmanship, and spirit of the Aomori Nebuta Festival.
The first U.S.-built Nebuta, “Tsugaru Straits, Yoshitsune Crossing the Sea,” debuted in the 2015 Nisei Week Grand Parade.
The following year, another original Nebuta, “Kintoki,” continued the tradition, demonstrating that Nebuta culture could thrive and grow beyond its birthplace in Aomori.
More than simply parade floats, these Nebuta became symbols of friendship, cultural exchange, and community collaboration between Japan and the United States.
They also represented the successful transmission of Nebuta-making skills to a new generation of supporters in Los Angeles, ensuring that the tradition would continue for years to come.
Preserving the Tradition Today
Today, LA Nebuta proudly preserves two full-sized Nebuta floats, “Tsugaru Straits, Yoshitsune Crossing the Sea” and “Kintoki.”
These floats are carefully stored at the Aomori Kenjinkai Hall in Little Tokyo and continue to serve as symbols of the enduring friendship between Aomori and Los Angeles.
The preservation of Nebuta culture extends far beyond the annual Nisei Week Grand Parade. Every Saturday, members of the Southern California Nebuta Hayashi Preservation Society gather to practice traditional Nebuta festival music, including taiko drums, flutes, and percussion.
Through these ongoing activities, volunteers work to preserve and pass on the rich traditions of the Aomori Nebuta Festival to future generations.
As one of Japan's Three Great Summer Festivals, the Nebuta Festival is renowned for its giant illuminated floats, energetic Haneto dancers, and vibrant musical performances. LA Nebuta is dedicated to sharing this unique cultural experience with the people of Southern California, providing opportunities for thousands of spectators and participants to experience the excitement, artistry, and spirit of Nebuta without leaving Los Angeles.
From a single float that arrived from Japan in 2007 to a thriving community tradition sustained by volunteers on both sides of the Pacific, LA Nebuta continues to celebrate Japanese culture, promote cultural exchange, and inspire future generations through the spirit of Nebuta.
For nearly two decades, LA 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 on both sides of the Pacific.
Hollywood Christmas Parade (2015-2018)
The Hollywood Christmas Parade is one of the major winter events in Los Angeles, is in its 84th year; the parade starts on the red carpet in front of the Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theater and goes down to Sunset Blvd., a distance of about 3 miles.
Every year, the parade gets a boost of excitement as Hollywood celebrities, famous people, marching bands, and enormous floats take part in this joyful occasion.
2015 marked the very first time that a Japanese festival was included in the Hollywood Christmas Parade.
The Hollywood Christmas Parade will be broadcast on TV across the United States. Nebuta lovers from Japan flew into participate in this monumental experience.
Nebuta has participated every year since 2015 in the Hollywood Christmas Parade.
