Dashi are one of three large structures at Japanese festivals alongside Yatai, and Mikoshi.
Some of the most common names used for these floats include Kasaboko, Danjiri, Yamahoko, Yamakasa, and Hikimono.
[1] Dashi floats (山車) are an important component of Japanese festivals, and were originally designed to look like mountains.
During the Takayama Matsuri, ten dashi floats go through the city in the day and at night.
The Kanda Matsuri has both dashi floats and mikoshi, with people wearing traditional clothes walking through the streets.