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Lantern Festival
The season has changed again, and you know what that means: another festival!
This one is the Autumn Lantern Festival, or something. Not entirely sure what it's about or entails, but regardless, please enjoy these jolly good photos.
Kids from all around town were herded into these decorated carriages and forced to pound on drums for hours at a time. There were some... five of these carriages? Maybe. They were pulled around town, in different circuits, for hours at a time.
Not quite sure, but earlier in the month you could hear them practicing around town. There was a small demountable building next to a parking lot I frequently passed that was full of high school kids drumming away on Japanese drums. I had no idea what they were doing, and wondered if I could join in.
I guess now I know.
This is the shrine/temple (what actually is the difference?) near the festival. Lots of praying, donating coins, and donging the big bell.
You know with that energy and screen presence it's a wonder I don't host my own travel show.
These girls are Japanese.
They closed off a few streets and had lots of stalls and whatnot.
Fun for the whole family! Including...
Masks for the kiddies!
Sausages!
Humorous T-Shirts!
Large, inflatable, novelty drink bottles! For the kids!
Hey a doggy!
He looks pretty nice, but he started barking and almost tried to attack me. Maybe he wanted some of my potato.
That's right, I bought a potato. I figured it worked out to be the cheapest per carbohydrate ($4 or something, opposed to a frankfurt which were $3 each or some shit) so I got one o' dem. The guy put on about half a litre of some creamy white stuff on top. I assumed it was sour cream, so I ate a heaping spoonful. Turns out it was actually full cream butter! I almost vomited on the spot.
I couldn't eat all that butter, so I threw half of it into a pot plant. True story!
Another interesting thing about living in Japan is you get to see a greater array of social classes of Japanese than you do in Australia. Back home it's mainly students, businessmen and tourists. Living here though, you get to see Japanese truck drivers, disabled people, and my favourite, carnies.
No photos though. If they're anything like their Australian counterparts they'd be all annoyed and stuff.
Hurry up shithead.
They look pretty cool at night. Also, there was a guy handing out envelopes of money! Well, 5 yen coins (about 5c). The 5 yen coin has a hole in the middle. They tie some strings around it, and then it becomes lucky. Put it in your wallet, and more money will come.
I like how festivals take precedence over traffic considerations. Sucked in motorists!
Watch yourself there boys.
Check out how their booties have a gap next to the big toe. They look like Ninja Turtles.
These guys were whacky and drunk. Good on ya fellas!
"Hello ladies!
"Oh, you're only 15? Great. Bye".
Then I walked around for a bit more, and then, I went home.
THE END
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