Ever since the aforementioned Bon Odori, signs have been going up, and we have observed preparations, for our local shrine’s omikoshi matsuri. Saturday, the 5th, featured the children’s version (kodomomikoshi). While we watched the procession, the man directing the kids struck up a conversation with me and invited us to participate in the following day’s event. He told us to borrow some Happi Coats from the local sake dealer which we did.

At 9 o’clock on the morning of the 6th we arrived at 天祖神社 (our local shrine) decked out in our new Happi Coats and all ready to lift the mikoshi, bounce it up and down, and wave it back and forth through town. I wasn’t so sure we would get the chance given that there were hundreds of people looking to do the same and only space for a couple dozen lifters at a time.

The local elders (to the right of the above photo) gave speeches before we began, telling us to be safe, enjoy the great weather, and continue the tradition that had been happening for hundreds of years. They only take this mikoshi around town once every three years so we were lucky to be here at the right time.

The procession included not only the mikoshi but also boys dressed like Shinto priests, someone in a Tengu mask, a lady dressed in a traditional Shinto outfit with the above wagasa over her, and others.

I got my chance to carry the mikoshi at one point (that’s me on the far left) and quickly discovered that it doesn’t work so well when one person is more than half a foot taller than everyone else. Not only do the tall get stuck with far more weight, but they also tip the shrine a bit. This was a great experience, though, and I’ll post some more pictures soon…

Posted on September 17th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: festivals, japan pictures, matsuri, shinto. Comments: None

When I was a kid I played some form of baseball (frequently wiffleball due to space and number-of-participants constraints) at least 200 days a year. I don’t see that anymore in the states in this age of soccer and video games. But in Japan I see kids playing baseball nearly every day.

The location for these shots is the open area on the north-west corner of 甘泉園公園. I’ll be posting more pictures from and information about this park near Waseda University soon.

Posted on September 1st, 2009 under Japan. Tags: baseball, japan pictures, nishi-waseda, Tokyo, 甘泉園公園. Comments: 2

Just in case you didn’t get enough of Meiji Jingu last time, here are some more photos.

Posted on August 30th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: clouds, japan pictures, meiji jingu, shinto, skywatch, Tokyo, torii. Comments: 2

This past Saturday I spent about 3 hours on trains going to and from one of the places where I am teaching (Atsugi Naval Air Base). There were many more people dressed up in summer yukata than normal. It dawned on me that, it being a Saturday, summer festivals could be happening. As I exited my train station I took a look at the nearby display board of public events. On the one I was looking at there was a notice for a 祭り (matsuri or festival) at 諏訪神社 for that day and the following day.

I told the family when I got home that they probably shouldn’t eat much at home. They were still unprepared for their first summer festival, however, as they didn’t come hungry.

Festivals aren’t just about food though. There are lots of games too. The game above allows you to catch (and sometimes keep) goldfish.

The above sign says that you can catch and keep up to 5 fish for 300 yen. If you want to just catch them for fun (and not keep any) then the price drops to 200 yen (about $2).

If goldfish aren’t your thing then perhaps you’d like to fish for toys instead?

The last photo is supposed to be one of the traditional, Japanese summer dress. The yukata look authentic, but I don’t believe Crocs were very styling in the Edo Period.

Posted on August 28th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: food, japan pictures, matsuri, people. Comments: None

For the current McDonald’s ad campaign in Japan they have chosen a random foreigner to be the poster child. They stuck some geeky-looking glasses on him, put a heart above his head, and attached the slogan “Nippon All Stars.” What any one of these many components have to do with each other, McDonald’s, or anything else is a mystery to me. I suppose that is the case for anyone seeing the ads as well.

Currently, Mr. Nippon All Stars (actually I think they are calling him Mr. James) is pushing the “Tamago Double Mac” (たまごダブルマック) which is a piece of bacon, an egg, and two hamburger patties on a bun. I will pass on that one.

Uni Qlo, in the background of the above photo, is a clothing store which we have already endowed with a few thousand yen. The prices are pretty good and the selection is nice. What does Uni Qlo (or Uniqlo) mean you ask? I have no idea.

From the front of Uniqlo a different view of the Golden Arches can be obtained. I believe this is a Waseda University building forming the single arch across the (Meiji Doori) street. The main campus is a 10 minute walk to the northeast though.

Posted on August 27th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: food, japan pictures, Tokyo. Comments: 3