First Japanese festival you attended?
 

I arrived yesterday, morning in Japan. I went to the Hita city Gion Matsuri last night. (Hita city is known as little Kyoto)

Its beautiful...

So what was first experience?

The Azabu-juban matsuri (in Minato-ku, Tokyo). It was my first daytime festival. They have them in the area all the time during the summer. Here is some footage I shot from a couple of them.

‪Azabu-juban Matsuri and Shibuya‬‏ - YouTube


‪Mikoshi‬‏ - YouTube

The Goshogawara Tachi Neputa Matsuri. Awesome is too little a word to describe this festival.

The August Nebuta/Neputa Matsuri in Aomori-shi, Hirosaki-shi, and Goshogawara-shi are some of the largest festivals in Japan.

Many years later I had the honor of being invited by the Mayor of Goshogawara-shi to be one of the people pulling/pushing the newest 70+ foot tall Tachi-Neputa in the Matsuri. WHAT an experience! I got invited again a couple of years later.

All in all, an amazing thing to do. Something few westerners get a chance to experience. I treasure those memories. Last time was 2009.

Found this U-Tube video:
‪72 Foot Tall Japanese Floats - 2010 Goshogawara Tachi Neputa Matsuri‬‏ - YouTube


best,

..................john

I think it was the Tenji Matsuri in Osaka, 2006 ?

I seldom go to festival, cause I really don't like crowded area :p

Gion Matsuri. Thank God they sell beer. Too hot!:eek: