Tanabata Festival!

It's summer in Nagoya (blazing hot, I might add), so why not throw on my yukata (summer kimono) and head to a local festival?!

Actually, I was completely ready to stay at home and bask in the A/C, but I had already committed to Tarynn about going to this thing.  I'm glad that we went, and once you see the pictures, you'll know that I'm also glad we decided to suck it up and wear our yukatas in the crazy heat.

We have arrived at the Tanabata Festival in Ichinomiya (about a 20 minute train ride from Nagoya). 

Tanabata is the holiday for star-crossed lovers. 

If you don't remember the story, check out my blog from July 7th by clicking here.

Tanabata decorations include many streamers and hanging your wishes (or heart's desire) from a bamboo tree.

I love all of the colorful decorations!

Amazingly enough, I was not too hot in my yukata!  Maybe the Japanese people do know a thing or two about cool summer festival outfits!!

This festival had a big stage, paper lanterns, great music, lots of dancing, and plenty of men, women, and children in yukatas!!

Check out this sweet video of people dancing in the street. 

(You must go directly to the blog to view it.)

I had fun watching all of the cool outfits and synchronized dances.  It reminds me of line dancing in America, only they go in a circle around the stage!!

Ladies show off their dancing skills!

Another video of people dancing and the crowd. 

(You must go directly to the blog to view it.)

I loved to see all of the children wearing yukatas.  They were so adorable!!

Take a quick look at this video, and you will notice plenty of kids wearing yukatas!

(You must go directly to the blog to view it.)

As Kerri enjoys her shaved ice, you can see the street is lined with food vendors.  It's kind of like Fall Festival in Evansville, only the food was mostly unidentifiable to me and I couldn't read the signs!

Masks were also popular at the festival, but I'm not sure why.  I don't remember this tradition being part of the history of Tanabata.  Maybe it's just a fun thing for Japanese people to wear!!

Exhibit #3 as to why Japan needs swimming pools. 

This little boy is in the fountain cooling off because even at 8pm it's still in the 90's!

Tarynn gets ready to enjoy her yakisoba (noodles with an egg on top).  I still find it amazing that so many festival/carnival/stadium foods in Japan have to be eaten with chopsticks.  I prefer one-handed foods (like corn dogs and cotton candy), so I can walk and eat at the same time.

One more video that is kind of dark but as the night got later, then the music and dancing got faster.  So cool to watch.  Who needs a parade when people dance in unison in the street instead?! 

(You must go directly to the blog to view it.)

Our bellies are full, and we've seen enough dancing, so it's time to go home and go to bed! 

Kerri and Tarynn are ready to beat the rush and head for the train station.

Even lovely ladies in yukatas have to buy train tickets ;)

This festival was a lot of fun, and I'm very glad that Tarynn dragged me out of my air conditioning to experience it!!  Japan really does have some cool customs, and it's awesome to learn about them first hand!