1.
festival float, parade float
A large, elaborately decorated wheeled platform pulled or carried through the streets during Japanese festivals. Often features ornamental figures, lanterns, and sometimes musicians.
Pronunciation
The kanji 山車 is an irregular reading (ateji). The word 山車 originally referred to something brought out (出す) for display.
Usage
山車 are a central feature of many traditional Japanese festivals. Famous examples include the floats at the 祇園祭 in Kyoto, the 高山祭 in Gifu, and the 秩父夜祭 in Saitama. Some regions use different terms such as 屋台 or 曳山 for similar festival floats.