Natsu Matsuri 夏祭り 08
It's that time of the year again! After much await, 23rd Aug came and gone. And yes, before we realized it, the annual Natsu Matsuri 夏祭り(Summer festival) was gone.
The sad thing about this year's celebration was that it was a rainy day again and the stalls and performances had to be shifted indoors instead - losing much of the summer festival atmosphere.
But well, since we were there, we might as well just make the best of it. :)
Just look at the queue!!!
When we finally got in, Adrian and I went on our separate ways to queue up and get changed into our yukata. After an approx. one-and-a-half hour wait, i finally got into my yukata (which I bought from Uniqlo japan) with the help of some Japanese obaasan. Arigatou gozaimashita!
I could hardly walk in a normal fashion when i was in my yukata. Small steps had to be taken so as to avoid tripping. More importantly, I had to sit real upright in my yukata as the way it wrapped around your body kind of "forced" you to do so...
After filling our stomachs with some Japanese curry rice and sorts, we decided to take a stroll around the compound. We came across the central stage at the open field and lamented that if it hadn't rained, the stalls would be set-up outdoors, just beside the stage and dancers/ performers would be leading the crowd with their choregraphed moves... if only...
Just as we thought the performances were cancelled and were about to head home, we heard cheers and drums coming from the assembly hall. We decided to hoop in for a peek and discovered that the performances had been shifted indoors instead!
Following the instructors in striking pink yukatas (such as the obaasan below), Adrian and I decided to join in the traditional dances and move along with the crowd...
Before long, the dances came to an end, and it was time to end the festival. With much reluctance, we slowly packed our stuff and ready to head off with the rest - but not before a shot with Tuk...
Hopefully next year's celebrations will be on a sunny day, so that we can relinquish the outdoor celebration atmosphere once again.
The sad thing about this year's celebration was that it was a rainy day again and the stalls and performances had to be shifted indoors instead - losing much of the summer festival atmosphere.
But well, since we were there, we might as well just make the best of it. :)
Just look at the queue!!!
When we finally got in, Adrian and I went on our separate ways to queue up and get changed into our yukata. After an approx. one-and-a-half hour wait, i finally got into my yukata (which I bought from Uniqlo japan) with the help of some Japanese obaasan. Arigatou gozaimashita!
I could hardly walk in a normal fashion when i was in my yukata. Small steps had to be taken so as to avoid tripping. More importantly, I had to sit real upright in my yukata as the way it wrapped around your body kind of "forced" you to do so...
After filling our stomachs with some Japanese curry rice and sorts, we decided to take a stroll around the compound. We came across the central stage at the open field and lamented that if it hadn't rained, the stalls would be set-up outdoors, just beside the stage and dancers/ performers would be leading the crowd with their choregraphed moves... if only...
Just as we thought the performances were cancelled and were about to head home, we heard cheers and drums coming from the assembly hall. We decided to hoop in for a peek and discovered that the performances had been shifted indoors instead!
Following the instructors in striking pink yukatas (such as the obaasan below), Adrian and I decided to join in the traditional dances and move along with the crowd...
Before long, the dances came to an end, and it was time to end the festival. With much reluctance, we slowly packed our stuff and ready to head off with the rest - but not before a shot with Tuk...
Hopefully next year's celebrations will be on a sunny day, so that we can relinquish the outdoor celebration atmosphere once again.
Labels: With friends 友達と
posted by ikan bilis at 12:01 AM
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