The Yotaka Paper Lantern Parade is held on May 1st and 2nd. There you can hear the sounds of Yotaka drums and the rhythmic shouts of strong, young voices ring through the street. The highlight of the festival is the “float battle” that is held on March 2nd at 11:00 PM where groups of young people try to destroy each other’s floats to the beat of wooden clappers. On May 3rd, floats from the 4 towns of Nanto visit Shinmeisha Shrine, and portable shrines are paraded throughout the city for the Fukuno Hikiyama Festival.