Minamichita's Toyohama, on the southernmost tip of Aichi Prefecture's Chita Peninsula, is divided into wards. Each area makes it's own huge bream from timber and bamboo frames, wrapped in dyed cotton cloth. During the festival, the giant red and black bream are carried by local men around the town and seaside. Smaller fish are carried by children adding a certain charm to the boisterous event.

The bizarre annual festival is held on a weekend in mid- to late July, depending on the tides at Toyohama Beach. The event starts early on the Saturday morning with a parade of giant fish carried through the town by a rotation of up to 60 men in traditional festival garb, happi coats and headbands. After floating through the town, the five giant bream make a mad dash to the seaside to fight! The best place to see the action is just east of the Toyohama intersection on route 247 just before midday, and from about midday at the Toyohama Fishing Port.

The first night's festivities end with a massive fireworks display, while Sunday dishes up pretty much the same. However, about mid-afternoon the monster fish fight, then make a spectacular plunge into the ocean, followed by what could be described as a giant fish dance, bringing the festival to an end. The final evening takes place at nearby Nakazu, where the fish are illuminated from within and paraded through the fishing village.

As with all Japanese festivals, they are well-catered for, with hundreds of food and drink stalls, attractions and specialty stands along the route and around the main beach area too. Toyohama is located within the Mikawa Bay Quasi-National Nature Park, and is surrounded by many sightseeing spots, historical sites, cultural properties and fantastic festivals like the Tai Matsuri.

•Click here for the Toyohama Fireworks Festival page on Aichi Now.