Mikuruma (Dashi Floats)

These floats are elaborate pieces covered with ornate carvings and engravings, with brightly-colored flower-umbrellas atop the pillars at their center. They stretch to a height of an incredible 9 meters, and the elaborately decorated wheels reach to about the height of an adult, best seen up close for their full effect. The shape of each float differs from neighborhood to neighborhood, including differences in size, and completely different decorations. There just isn't enough time to properly take in the whole of each float. These are truly works of art, and it's no exaggeration to call them moving art museums. The karakuri marionette works are also a sight to see!

Bu-ei

The portion of the festivities in which attendants ("gubusha") pull "yama" floats through the center of Old Takaoka is called the "Bue-ei" (lit. "pulled offering")This day draws the largest crowds of the entire festival. People come from across the country for a sight of the large floats elegantly on parade!
"Gendaijishi" lions will lead the procession to purify the street in advance of the gods in the 7 dashi floats behind. (Many lion dances have been passed down as a part of Toyama Prefecture's traditional culture. It holds the number one position for number of lion dances.)

Nighttime Light-up Displays

During the smaller nighttime festivities of the night before, some of the festival floats with be lit-up and put on display.
You'll be able to get a good look at the festival floats, in a different light than the daytime festivities.
These extravagantly decorated floats are certainly worth a look.
In recent years, photos of the festival floats all lit-up at night can be seen on social media during the Takaoka Mikuruma-yama Festival. There are fewer people than the daytime events, and you'll only be able to enjoy a taste of the festival floats in this unique setting on this day, so be sure not to miss it!