Category Archives: Japanese Festivals

静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Festivals, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Festival, Tourism

Daidogei Street Performers Festival in Shizuoka City 2013 (November 1st~4th) 2

November 2, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Lucie Brouillard, face painting artist from Quebec!

The weather today being markedly cooler than yesterday encouraged me to have a look at what happening in downtown Shizuoka City during the second day of the 2013 version of Daidogei Street performers Festival!
Bear in mind that I’m only interested in the “side shows”, leaving the main show with the professional guests in Sumpu Park to other geeks!

I was supposed to meet friends of Shizuoka JR Station who never turned up but I was lucky enough to take a pic of this Japanese acrobat couple’s last gig!

A mime/clown from Chile!

The marching was still here!

Another bunch of clowns!

The ostriches were still there, too!

Lucie Brouillard, my favorite side show artist at work!

This mother actually requested a penguin to dhow her kid!

Pixie mother and daughter!

Nail painting!
For adults!

More nail painting!
For kids!

Young male bodies….

A great way to entice customers!

Who are the real kids?

Face drawings apparently done by art students!

This pantomime is a regular feature year after year and is getting more and more attention from onlookers and the media!

A frightening centipede from South Korea!
I heard that they also performed in my own hometown’s Street Performers Festival in Chalon Sur Saone, France last July, which is also visited every year by Masaaki Koga, the chief organizer of this Festival in Shizuoka City!

The kid didn’t care a fig!

To be continued…………

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Shop with Intent by Debbie
BULA KANA in Fiji
Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

笑い, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Festivals, Humor, Japan, Japanes Culture, Japanese Festivals, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Festival, Tourism

Daidogei Street Performers Festival in Shizuoka City 2013 (November 1st~4th) 1

November 1, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Masaaki Koga, the Man who made it all possible!

The 2013 version of the Shizuoka Daidogei has finally kicked off in bright sunshine and I took the opportunity to take a few pictures as the long week-end will be a real tussle!

A small marching band?

Like the years before faint painting was one of the most popular events right from the beginning!

True colors?

A pixie?

An elf?

A loving couple!

Even the models were highLy concentrated!

Photographer being photographed!

Hey! What’s this?

Giant ostrich!

Beware the fowl!

Plenty of clowns of all ages everywhere!

Ready for the picture?

masaaki Koga and his troops/troupes looking forward to meeting you tomorrow again!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Festivals, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

25th (and last?) Shizuoka Mikoshi Festival

October 28, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Yesterday afternoon I experienced a great surprise and some disappointment at the same time….

Festivals are an integral part of Japanese life and culture.
But why are they so little advertised in some cities?
Unfortunately Shizuoka City is one of the culprits.
In the whole day I espied only one other expat when there should be droves of them!

For all the official attendance of Shizuoka City Mayor, Nobuhiro Tanabe/田辺信宏, the participans confide me that next year it would not be possible to hold a 26th event in the same form for lack of subsidies form Government Agencies…
To think that Shizuoka Prefecture is said to be actively promoting tourism.
I didn’t even know about the event after more than 36 years of residence and I discovered it yesterday because I had changed my schedule at the last second!
And it took place for 4 hours in a row all over the center of Shizoka City along Aoba Street, Gofuku Cho Street and Shichiken Cho Street!

In spite of it all Satoko Sanada/眞田里子さん was doing some great work announcing it all to the public!

At least the sake was on hand! (Mind you, not Shizuoka City sake, but Hamamatsu City sake by Hana No Mai Brewery!)

The Mikoshi Festival still has an Association! I hope they will still find a way next year!

Peace”!

Well, the younger generations are still hopeful!

Great kid!

I had arrived just in time for the preparations in Aoba Park Street before the real start of the festivities!

I took advantage of the waiting to take some shots of the participants!

All waiting quietly!

Let me do it for you, kiddo!

There were 7 mikoshi/お神輿 from Shizuoka City and 1 from Toyohashi City in Aichi Prefecture.
The great majority of the participants are connected with lumber and construction businesses.

Posing for the ladies?

Old hands taking it easy!

Great “happi/半被” design!

Colorful butterflies!

The lady on the left wears a happi emblazoned with a “aoi/葵/hollyhock” crest, that of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu!

Elegant!

These ladies’ long happi could become a new fashion fad!

Proud participants!

Still waiting…

Let’s have a look at the mikoshi while we have some time!

If you look carefully you will realize they are a miniature copy of real shrines!

Bear in mind that these mikoshi were made by lumber workers and wood craft artisans!

This one was topped with a Japanese phoenix!

Can you see etched against the background?

This one, too!

I love dragons!

I really love dragons!

Almost ready…

Last recommendations and encouragements by the organising committee and the Mayor!

At last the parade/procession is being launched!

Headed by the singers!

This young lady seems to enjoy the whole event for more than one reason!

Maybe a bit older but enjoying every moment of it!

These old guys seem to know they have a long way ahead of them!

Good team work!

With their eyes kept on the leaders!

Slowly but steadily warming up to the event!

Ambling in cadence through the crowd!

Great smile!

Strong ladies!

Stopped by a traffic light…

Hold it a bit more, guys!

Handsome gentleman for the lady photographers!

As strong as a man!

And certainly more beautiful!

Proud old men!

Encouraged all the way by the youngest generation!
There is still plenty of hope for great traditions!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Festivals, Matsuri, Photography, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Festival, Tourism

Shimada Obi Festival 7: Daimyou Gyouretsu-The Lord Parade

October 21, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

The Sabres Dancer!

the Daimyou Gyouretsu/大名行列 is the sole responsibility of the Dai Nana Kai/第七街/Seventh District and come last after all the chariots, stage dancers and parades have come through since 8:30 a.m. They usually start between 13:00 and 14:30 depending on the day.

Onlookers were sitting on the kerb a good hour before the scheduled Parade!

They are very strict about the organisation and young members ensure that there isn’t the slightest impediment.
I was told in no uncertain term by a metal cane wielding young man to move to the sides well before the parad actually reached my spot!

The “leaders” are extremely proud of their prerogatives, even by Japanese standards.
This is after all the aristocratic part of the festival and in Edo times they were far more obvious about their power and authority as the local Lord and his retainers paraded for real!

The first herald!

The lancers!

The Lord’s mark of authority carried inside portable boxes!

Heavy stuff actually!

Those two kids are supposed to represent the two most powerful retainers!

The archers!

Kids have also taken the place of the Lord and his sons on horses!
And horse handlers are now ladies!

The Lord parading past a cake shop!

Most of the lower ranked retainers parade is enacted by children!

Those dancers are a modern addition!

The hairstyles were vastly different, then! LOL

At least these kids are not taking it all too seriously!

The Overlord was pulled along atop a small float.

Bow to the Lord!

Taking a rest and being re-groomed!

No parade would come along without its music band!

A rare smile from the handlers who seemed to enjoy themselves more than some uppity “retainers”!

Even the lord seemed more amenable to his subjects!

Another Lord with lady handlers!

At last the ones all had been waiting!
The Sabre dancers!
This was makes the unique name and fame of this festival in the whole of Japan!
Enormous obi/sashes are wrapped around giant swords secured by sashes around the dancers’ waists.

All the dancers carry different obi/sashes wrapped around their swords.
The “apron” is also unique.
All are made of expensive silk. They carry a real fortune along which is is displayed only for three days every three years!
The Parade is a very expensive a affair to take charge of. Therefore it has been held every 3 years ony for 107 times!

The dancing is also a tough challenge along the 1.7 km ( 1 mile) main road which takes more than two hours.
To think they go through that three days in a row!

The Dancers have to hold an umbrella (they certainly need it in the heat!) with one hand, make big waves with the other hand and raised the knees high with every step!

Tough for photographers who are not allowed to stand or walk in front or across the Parade!

Not so many onlookers on the sunny side of the road which could burn your skins in a jiffy, but one couldn’t walk on the shady side between the Parade and the houses along the street!

Some of them were obviously tired!

Tough work to raise your knees under that heavy apron!

Tough work too to raise your arm above the shoulder and make a circling wave back and forward!

Helpers were carrying low stools on which they could rest every time the parade had to stop!

A well-earned rest!
Mind you, even in such a sitting position it must be tough to carry all that finery along!

Fortunately an army of handlers were here to give plenty of support, water and encouragements!

One thing was sure, all had strong legs!
The dancers are basically different every three years as it is a very sought after honor!

This particular dancer was very popular with the crowd as he took often the time to look and wink at them. Note the whiskers!

There was plenty more to follow including the brandishing and throwing of decorated poles but I was running out of batteries!

A common feature to top-class Japanese Festivals!

I hope that in three years’ time technology will have evolved enough to make it a film of it all without fear of running out of batteries!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Festivals, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Festival, Tourism

Shimada Obi Festival 6: The “Clash” of the Chariots

October 20, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Make way!

Dai Nikai Yatai/Second district Chariot

The Chariots/Yatai seen during the Shimada Obi Festival are chariots more than floats.
Shimada City counts seven districts, Dai/第 Ichi, Ni, san, Yon, Go, Roku and Nana Kai/街.
The first six districts look after their own chariot which is also used as theater platform where plays are enacted by local kids.
The seventh district is in charge of the Lord Parade/Daimyou Gyooretsu!

Lovely fans of the Dai Nikai/Second district!

Although each chariot, after “having received permission from the other districts” is allowed to mave along the main district past all districts.

More lovely fans of the Dai Nikai!

But the fans will stay inside their own District to cheer their chariot as it passes them by.

The “movers”!

Although the chariots are mounted on wheels, these same wheels are more of wood and metal and are fixed to the frame. They do not roll!
One main reason for that is that a free-wheeling chariot is just too unstable to control.
Hence the armies of “movers”!

Now, this is tough work to ensure three days in a row!

Each “mover” is armed with a long pole made of a solid tree trunk cut at a slant at its base.
The poles will be used to lift and push the chariots from any side as thick tree trunks are fixed to the bottom frame just above ground!

Whereas at other times of the day the chariots will become the theater stages, in the morning they are paraded along the main street to the sounds of drum and Japanese fife players sitting inside!

The rope pullers of the Dai Ni Kai!

On the other hand teams of young men will pull the chariots with long ropes to help move forward.
But when it comes to moving sideways the “movers” will take care of the show!

The Fourth/Dai Yon Kai District pullers having a break!

Getting ready!

A last re-adjustment before the pull!

A few more details to take care of!

the “cheerleaders” standing on the roof, sticks in hands!
Notice that they are all light-weight!

The fans’ fans!

The Dai Yon Kai Chariot about to start!

The Dai Ni Kai Chariot about to star, too!
The whole affair is to manage to have two chariots moving along each other in different directions without any mishaps!
Not easy!

Still waiting to start…

Just a few more seconds…

Start the drums!

Moving forward at a slant needs so much physical synchronization!

Now the “problem” is starting! Both teams must absolutely ensure the very close by-passing!

The “clash” is beginning!
Actually it is all carefully planned banter.
The two chariots “riders” will scream at each other to leave the way or move aside.
There will be no real fight in spite of the very “serious” faces of the participants.
But in the rare occasion when the chariots do hit each other by accident older members will immediately run between the handlers and shout them away from each other in no uncertain words!
The police is invisible at such times and the citizens handle themselves!

The “riders” guiding the “pullers” and Movers” sideways to the sounds of sticks and whistles!

The “movers” concentrate on their task as if nothing was happening…
Mind you, they are well armed! LOL

Handlers waiting patiently while riders are screaming at each other!

In the meantime some young pullers are having their own fun!

C’mon guys! Let’s go with it!

Unrelenting drumming during all that time!

Some young ladies were very serious at it!

Move aside, will ya!

Now that we getting closer the “movers” are waiting for the “directions”…

It is the turn of the riders to frantically scream at each other while directing their respective chariots!

careful guys, careful!

Move aside!

Steady! Steady!

Very little leeway, I can assure you!

All the time the fans’ fans in a frenzy!

The last scramble!

Safely through, but look at those “stares”!

Part 7 will the daimyou Gyouretsu/Lord Parade close the show!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanes Culture, Japanese Festivals, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Shimada Obi Festival 3: Faces of Ladies

October 14, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

The cutest ladies at the festival? Definitely the most serious about it!

I finally went to watch the Shimada Obi Festival today where I took literally hundred of pictures and have to divide this report on of the strangest/unusual festivals in Japan into many parts!
This report is about the faces of some ladies I met on purpose or by chance to give a good idea of what to expect at a Japanese Festival!

Flaming hair!

Well, no world is perfect….

The same standing. Brrrrr…….

Always on the phone, even in the company of a boyfriend!

These two ladies selling at a food stand were certainly having a good time!

The color of their hair is a sign of their seriousness!

We’ll see many more of these with such grand hairstyles!

“Fans” with fans waiting for the clash of chariots!

Parade dancers having a break.

Looking after the younger generation.

It was a very hot and dry day. Every respite was welcome!

Heads up! Time is coming soon to dance again!

My favorite picture!

Here they come!

Tigerish hairstyle?

I know, I know! I do like her!

A bodyline to make a lot of foreign tourists jealous!

It all might looks eanough but I can assure you all this dancing was extremely strenuous!

I’m so bleeding tired…..

Part 4 is about the KIDS!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

笑い, 観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Festivals, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Shimada Obi Festival 2: Faces of Men!

October 13, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Behave yourself at Festival or I’ll get at you!

I finally went to watch the Shimada Obi Festival today where I took literally hundred of pictures and have to divide this report on of the strangest/unusual festivals in Japan into many parts!
This report is about the faces of some men I met on purpose or by chance to give a good idea of what to expect at a Japanese Festival!

my good friend Hisatsugu Umehara/梅原詞さん who has been helping the fourth district (there are no less than 7 organizing the whole festival!) for the 7th time in a row! (Multiply by 3=18 years!)
Thanks to him I found great spots for photographs and was offered a wealth of information!

Don’t touch the sake without my permission!

Talking it easy at the office of the fourth district!

Obviously hasn’t recovered from last night drinking! (The festival lasts three days!)

One cup of sake per person only! Understood?

Different size, length and color!

Easy hairstyles?

(Comparatively) Handsome?

This chap would have been a hit with Medieval European ladies!

When you grow older, whiter and less abundant, sport a beard!

Windy or wavy hairstyle?

Proud to be a man!

11 am and already happily drinking!
Great smiles!

Brrrrrrr,,,,,,,,,,,

This lady will be featured again in Part 3: Faces of Ladies!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

観光, Festivals, Happi, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Festivals, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Tourism, 半被

Shimada Obi Festival 1: Happi-Festival Coats

October 13, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

I finally went to watch the Shimada Obi Festival today where I took literally hundred of pictures and have to divide this report on of the strangest/unusual festivals in Japan into many parts!
this first part will be dedicated to “Happi/半被”, which could be translated as half coats and which are usually worn at Festivals or special occasions to show to which group you belong!
But there are also purely artistic Happi!

A classical design with a lion!

Another classical happi with a chain motif!

Another classical happi with a prawn motif at the top!

A more artistic happi with a stylized Kabuki Theater Face Painting!

Samurai Fight!

The broken mask of a Goblin/Oni called “Han Ya2 in Noh Theater!

A Dragon in the clouds!

A monk astride a Dragon!

Two beautiful artistic happis!
Let’s have a closer look!

River-crossing Lady!

A Phoenix, a Winged Horse/Pegasus and a Turtle in front of a red Mount Fuji!

A Dragon flying around Mount Fuji!

A scene representing a castle with a river, a bridge and a boat in the foreground!
Like a painting of yore!
Beautiful!

Part 2 will be about the “faces of men” i met around the Festival!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

祭, 美食, 酒, 観光, 魚海の幸, 農業, Festivals, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Festivals, Japanese Gastronomy, Matsuri, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Festival, Tourism

Shizuoka Festival Food Stands and Dancers!

April 9, 2012 dragonlife 10 Comments

Cute lady selling dango/団子!

The last three days saw the annual Shizuoka Festival which was held all over town.
It is slowly becoming better organized thanks to contributions from the whole Prefecture and volunteer citizens, although the city and authorities do very little…
Anyway yesterday, a beautiful Sunday, I took the opportunity to take a few (a lot actually) pictures to show you all what a local (in Shizuoka City) festival looks like!

I first went to the Sumpu Castle (a 2/3 scale copy of the original) and Sumpu Park!

The entrance to the main “square” where most of the food stands were located.

The map of the whole park!

A small traditional band manned by physically-impaired children!

Tough-looking girls on the Japanese drums!

Drummers start young in Japan!

Unimpressive and idle Shizuoka policemen…
Shizuoka policemen (actually traffic wardens in spite of their guns and plates…) are notorious as a lazy breed…

Now, what is that castle for?

A giant air cushion for kids to play on!

Fancy a tour with a “jinrikisha”?

Some people also call this Festival the “Shizuoka Spring Cherry Blossoms festival”!

These knee-high stockings are very much in fashion this year!

Plenty of food and drinks under the cherry trees! Ever heard of “Hanami/花見”?

Bento stand!

Japanese-style country food!

Yomogi wagashi Japanese cakes!

Shizuoka Oden!

Tsubuan Manju!

Shizuoka-style okonomiyaki!

Floating balls for the kids!

Try your luck!

Shizuoka specialties: dried sakura ebi/cherry shrimp and shirasu/sardine whiting!

A treat that kids all over the world look for!

More Shizuoka Oden!

Very well organized event with many public dustbins!

Kimonos are still very much in fashion!

A whole range of fancy okonmiyaki!

Japanese-style soft ice creams!

Korean-style karaage/deep-fried chicken!

Preparing o mochi and kinako wagashi cakes!

More okonomiyaki!

No, they are not selling kangaroo meat!

Shizuoka is strawberry country!

The Japanese too love their hamburgers!

Yakisoba!

Famous Shizuoka’s Hatsukame sake!

Takoyaki/Octopus dumplings!
I took a break to enjoy some with a cup of the above sake!

Charcoal-grilled ayame and ayu trouts!

Dango/団子!

Hiroshima-style Suwaganiten and nigiriten!

Utsunomiya gyoza!

Japanese-style corn on the cob!

Mini okonomiyaki?

More Shizuoka-style oonomiyaki!

Sausages!

Giant Sasebo (Kyushu) hamburgers!

Yakitori and oden!

“Love and Peace Ice Cream”!

I finally moved out to a quick look at Aoba Park Street where the kids were having on giant air cushions!

Right in front of the city hall! I suspect that many a civil servant’s kid was there!

And then I walked and made myself a nuisance taking pics of dancing groups in the middle of the main thoroughfare!

Sexy dancers! Sorry for the fuzzy pic, I was not really looking at my camera….

Mothers and kids waiting for their turn!

The Japanese love to be taken in photographs but the setting sun was a bit of a nuisance!

Is that a gentleman in the middle?

My personal first prize for colorful costumes!

The last pic!

Looking for and forward to the next local festival!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, 47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Bento, 美食, 茶, 観光, 農業, Festivals, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Festivals, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Tourism, 弁当

Japanese Traditional Local Festivals: 5th Annual Miwa Cherry Blossoms Festival in Shizuoka City!

February 20, 2012 dragonlife 19 Comments

Recent times have seen a revival of local festivals in Japan, especially in the rural areas, probably because people wanted to forget the sluggish economy and come back to more basic social gatherings after long years spent away in dehumanizing cities.
My good friend Neil had mentioned that his neighborhood in Miwa was organizing their 5th Annual Sakura Festival yesterday so I rode my bicycle for a good 45 minutes from home till the other side of the Abe River in Shizuoka City!

I left my bicycle at Neil’s place and walked till the Miwa Primary School where I found this banner announcing the Cherry Blossoms Festival!

For once that the weather was fine I walked on the causeway along the Abe River.

It is still winter and the water was pretty dry in all senses of the word!

I finally espied the site!

The Festival has been scheduled on the 3rd Sunday of February whatever the conditions or weather.
Unfortunately the last three weeks have witnessed unseasonal cold and the early-blooming Kawazu Cherry Trees had not blossomed yet!

For a closer view!

On the other hand the Japanese plum trees were still very much in flowers!

And the kumquats were everywhere for a picking!

We are full in leek season! Great to fight colds!

Plenty of beautiful colors to be found in private gardens!

But someone had made sure we had some cherry blossoms on site!

Neil had been designated as the sound engineer of the event!

You can’t have a festival in Japan without drums!

I wonder what those fox masks are for!

Robust ladies!

Oranges and tea on sale!
Notice the “dustbins”!

The site was small but certainly crowded!

Local bonsai on sale!

Local farmers selling their produce!

What are they preparing here?

Tonjiru soup for free!
Very thoughtful of the organizers!

Ashikubo Green Tea!

Sweet dango/balls!

Boxed lunches and wagashi cakes!

Chirashizushi bento!
All bentos are really home-made before put on sale!

Okonomiyaki!

Grilled sausages!

Deep-fried sweetmeat buns!

Yakisoba!

Candy Floss!

Grilled mochi cakes!

Local Benihoppe strawberries!

Home-made umeboshi!

They even had a small flea market!

Oden!

Dorayaki!

Very traditional dance!

Another very traditional dance!

And very traditional drinking!

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Chicken, 美食, Dessert, 酒, 野菜, 茶, 観光, 魚, 農業, Fish, Fuji-Takasago Brewery, Fujinomiya City, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Festivals, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Tourism, 地酒, 富士宮市

Japanese Gastronomy: Fuji-Takasago Brewery Public Opening with Sanoman Delicatessen in Fujinomiya City!

January 16, 2012 dragonlife 2 Comments

Some happy participants!

For the last 8 years or so Fuji-Takasago Brewery has been holding a Brewery Public Opening Day on their premises in Fujinomiya City with the collaboration of Sanoman Co., the largest delicatessen company in the Prefecture.
The event is attracting a lot of attention from the whole of Shizuoka Prefecture as demonstrated by thousands of visitors from all corners of the Prefecture!
The joint event has become a reference for an ever-growing number of similar festivals in Shizuoka!

The train saw a lot of people going down at Nishi Fujinomiya Station at a walking distance from the Brewery. Some of them took the opportunity to eat hot pork soups at Sanoman Co. which stands on the other side of the street!

The soups on offer!

They were the more welcome by the cold weather!

I had a quick look inside Sanoman Co. as I knew quite a few of their products would be on sale on the Brewery premises!

And then we had only the street to cross to enter Fuji-Takasago Brewery!

The whole staff with their young owner were busy welcoming everyone!

Take note of the Fuji-Takasago sake kegs!

Quite a few notable visitors were already enjoying themselves including Kenya Yoshimura, owner of Uzu Restaurant in Shizuoka City!

Sakekasu/sake white lees were on sale for customers who will use them for amazake/sweet sake or nabe/hotpot back home!

Fujinomiya Yakisoba!

Visitors were even treated to a show by local folklore dance groups!

A keen crowd!

Cute kids taking part in the dance!

Slightly tired performers!

But my first destination was the sake served for free by the brewmasters (Noto School) themselves!

Directly from the brewing tanks!

Many local producers were selling their products!

Strawberry jams and cakes!

But the cold weather required plenty of hot food: Delicious croquettes by Sanoman Co.!

Baked sweet potatoes!

Hot tonjiru soup!

It certainly brought smiles on many faces!

Even so, quite a few visitors gathered around one of the many fires!

Another method to keep away from the cold was to queue for more free sake!

What with visitors coming from far away the brewery staff was busy selling their nectars!

It was a battle to reach the bottles!

Sake is fine but one can’t drink on an empty stomach, so it was back to the food stands!

Mind you, there was plenty of green tea on offer!

Home-made natural yeast bread!

Tonjiru soup and karaage chicken!

Now, what is this freshly made anko/sweetmeats for?

Dorayaki!

Apart of Fuji-Takasago Brewery and Sanoman Delicatessen, there were two more stars present!
First Kunugi Rainbow Trout Farm from Fujinomiya City!

It was non-stop work for the Kunugis!

Couldn’t wait for these beauties to be ready!

Yummy!

Very happy visitors!

A very rare treat: Red caviar from the land, Rainbow trout Roe!

Another rare treat: canned raibow Trout!

The other star was yakitori by Aoki Chicken Farm in Fuji City!

They certainly needed a lot to satisfy the enormous demand!

Absolutely non-stop work again!

I can guarantee you they were worth the wait!

I’ll have to come earlier next year!

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With a Glass,
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Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

Must-see tasting websites:

笑い, 観光, Japan, Japanese Festivals, Shizuoka, Tourism

20th Shizuoka Street performance Festival/Daidogei: The side show!

November 3, 2011 dragonlife Leave a comment

Last year’s winners from Russia!

The 20th Shizuoka Street Performers Festival or more simply, Daidogei/大道芸/ is being held from November the 3rd thru the 6th!
What was originally a government-sponsored event has become an entirely privately-run affair which means that you have to pay to watch the top performers in designated places as Shizuoka has become one of the main stages of the Street Performers World Cup taking place in many countries all year round!
But there is stil what I call the “side show”, that is what happens around non-designated performers acting in the streets (with the occasional stars coming later to join their peers) and in the crowds.
This is　as good a source for photography and I wish to share the few pics I had little time to take today, hoping they will incite you into a far better picture story!

Once a kid, always a kid…
Those little red noses are for sale for a 100 yen… business is business…

Captain Sparrow busy cooking potatoes!

Halloween was celebrated only a few days ago…

There will always be balloons on sale at festivals, but may I suggest nice ladies are left alone to do it?

Nail design is big in Japan!

And face-painting is, too!

The other side of the screen…
As usual Asahi TV Channel took a big chunk of Aoba Park Avenue with the dubious reason they are part of the live show… The only TV Channel among the 5 permanent TV Channels in Shizuoka Prefecture to think so…

The main cameraman certainly has a big program in his hands…

We techinicians are part of the show, too, ain’t we?

Do you recognize some (local) celebrities?

These two gentlemen are an eternal part of the show!

Big muscles have always been popular with the Japanese…

An impromptu street performance?

A great day for the kids anyway as today is a National Holiday!

Ozzie wonders…
Can you guess who the male is?

This was not part of the show…
Apparently there had been a serious accident on a construction site nearby…

After dusk, a Russian butterfly had the kindness to fly all the way from the paying site for a free show!
By the way, do you know what “night butterfly” means in Japanese? LOL

Nota bene: There were plenty more titillating (offensive) sights, but with all these ids featured I couldn’t bring myself to publish them!
Mind you, I might be tempted next time (if I can keep the kids out of it!)! On Sunday if it doesn’t rain?

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Rachael in England at Monistical, With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
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Must-see tasting websites:

美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Japanese Festivals, Japanese Gastronomy, Mishima City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Japanese Festivals: Mishima Taisha/三嶋大社

August 15, 2011 dragonlife 6 Comments

There are many interesting festivals in Shizuoka Prefecture and it is great fun as they offer a glimpse on true traditional Japan as well on a culture that will never fade away whatever the times.
Mishima Taisha Matsuri/三嶋退社祭/Mishima Shinto Temple Festival takes place during the third week of August (15th~17th this year) to coincide with the O-Bon Festival.
So I took a fast train this morning from Shizuoka City and got off at Mishima JR Station to enjoy the sights.
Follow, if you please!

True to say, as soon as I came out of the station, a parade had just entered the same street!

At 11:30 a.m. it was already blistering hot (over 30 degrees Celsius!) but the kids kept fanning the participants!

Tough work to pull that chariot along!

And playing music on top of it was even hotter!

I’m sure they could done better with the water of that well (a pun?)!

Volunteers at crossroads made sure everyone went the right way!

Mishima City is celebrated all over Japan for its eel restaurants dotting the streets!

Another one!

Another well for thirsty people!

The streets were lined with “yatai/屋台/stands well before the entrance to the Shrine!

These cold drinks should sell quickly!

Sakurabou/long pink light bread!

Shaved ice!

The torii/鳥居/gates for the birds. Such gates are the entrances of Shinto Shrines, never at those of Budhist Temples.

We know we are there!

Sake keg from Hana no Mai Brewery in Hamamatsu City. Unfortunately there is no longer any sake brewery in Mishima City!

More stands inside the premises before the actual entrance to the Shrine. Fujinomiya City-style Yakisoba!

Yakitori!

The Park is worth visiting at any time of the year!

Goldfish catching!

A photographer’s paradise (a pun again?)?

The real entrance to a Shinto Shrine is marked with a “giant straw belt”!

A young girl going bananas? We haven’t passed through the entrance yet!

Fukutarou “Happiness” buns!

A secondary entrance through the wall surrounding the Shrine. The blazing sun was starting interfering with the photography!

Clean water is available to wash your hands before the entrance of any Shinto Shrine!

Next year is the Year of the Horse!

If the chrysanthemum of the “mon/seal” has 16 petals, the Shrine is part of the Japanese Emperor’s Cult!

What’s happening there? We’ll check later!

It is always worth it to nose around a large Shinto Shrine: Ikebana/生け花/Flowerarrangement!

Hidden gardens…

Portable fireworks!

Back to that event!

But let’s go around it first! What a blazing sun!

Impressive roofs!

Imperial “mon”!

This roof really looks like a helmet!

Your future for 200 yen (2.20 US$)!

The ladies selling at a Shrine stand/shop are supposed to be virgins…
Look at her headgear!

Knotting one’s wishes for the coming year…

Now, why are these three gentlemen dressed in Edo Era’s garb?

Those ancient clothes are certainly very elaborate!

I see! A (very solemn) tea ceremony!

The ancient shoes of the three gentlemen! Like their clothes, they must cost a fortune!

An illustrious unknown?

I walked across the other side of the gardens surrounding the Shrine on my way back to discover more stands. Japanese karaage/deep-fried chicken! Certainly better than those of that fake army officer!

Charcoal-grilled ayu trouts!

Cute young girls in yukata/summer kimono waiting for their yakisoba!

Such trees at Shinto Shrines are venerated as symbols of virility and fertility!

Now, I fancy these yakitori!

There are plenty of secondary shrines on the premises near waterways and small bridges!

There was another parade chariot at the side entrance with some good percussion music!

But the old guy was already probably thinking about all the Japanese sake sitting beside him!

Now, getting this chariot was sheer brutal work in that heat! It took them three tries before they could manage inching forward!

Walking around the park back to the station is also worth the effort!

Beautiful water running down from nearby Mount Fuji!

The wild ducks certainly love it!

A small bridge turned into a personal garden!

Plenty of clean water to safely play in!

Young ladies certainly welcomed the fresh water!

Whole families were thus escaping from the heat!

i could have stayed hours in such surroundings!

In Japan, always keep a look for English signs!
I know that the Japanese are probably the longest living people in the World but I still wonder…

Back at the station, all these lanterns announced the Festival. Pity I couldn’t stay still night!

There was even an on-going Japanese drum concert by a whole host of teams!

The last image of the heat of the day before I boarded the train back to Shizuoka City.
Would you believe it was pouring 30 minutes later back there with a double-digit drop in temperatute?

More to come!

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