Japan: Shiokawa Matsuri, Festival
Click the photo to zoom it.
A couple of days before the big festival, there was a traditional ceremony at the Shinto shrine.
Daruma almost ready for the Festival. Mrs Yamaguchi and the neighbours were finishing the Daruma in the garage when Yamaguchi-san brought us to see it a couple of nights before the festival. There was a barbecue and we received a friendly welcome and lots to eat and drink.
Afterwards we were invited to see the beautiful new house the neighbour had built.
It is the festival morning and the floats and boats are transported in a parade through the town. We just happened to be there at the right time - as the only audience in a street corner in the town center. Yamaguchi-san parked his car on the opposite side of the street and introduced each group in the loudspeaker. And we did our best to be form a big international audience. And the groups cheered, too.
The floating Daruma. The son of Yamaguchi-san and their neighbour steering the Daruma towards the goal.
A floating My Kitty
Our host Yamaguchi-San who organised the whole happening
Children playing
Ready for a group photo for the proud parents
A steam locomotive passed through Shiokawa during the festival
A picnic of 10.000 people in the evening starting to take shape
The evening ended with a huge one hour fireworks. My film got stuck, so no photos, sorry.

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