The giant straw sculptures of JapanMany of you have probably heard about the massive snow sculptures of the Sapporo Snow Festival, adding a fun event to look forward to in the dead of the harsh winters of Japan’s northernmost prefecture. But what about the straw sculptures of the Wara Art Festival in Niigata Prefecture? To celebrate the end of the rice harvest and the abundance of straw that is produced as a result, the folks in Niigata put all that extra dried stuff to creative use, making huge straw sculptures that tower over the thousands of people who come to visit them.

The sculptures are actually made much like a thatched roof, but the straw is instead attached to frames to create enormous figures.

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The effort it takes to erect these straw sculptures is amazing! Let’s take a look at a few more from Niigata, Japan.

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▼ Stepping back, you can really begin to appreciate the shear size of these straw beasts.The giant straw sculptures of Japan 16

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▼ Only the brave dare enter.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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▼ Not quite as impressive as the other straw sculptures, but definitely the most fun.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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▼ When giants walked the earth.The giant straw sculptures of Japan 3

▼ Look closely, you might find a little butterfly friend.DSC_0036

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▼ The best seat in the house.DSC_0041

Source: Kotaku
Images: Haikai Nikki, Miniriver, fujiko, hataimi3, 123ikko, kohebi