San Roku Matsuri (Asahikawa's Summer Festival)

Yes I know, it was over two and a half weeks ago, but here are some pics from the San Roku Matsuri of 2008 anyway.  Those that made it will remember great food, lots of color and plenty of noise. See you there next year.

Summer Fireworks in Hokkaido

Most of the Japanese festivals’ main event is the fireworks display. During the summer festivals, organizers launch more fireworks than you may have expected possible, but it seems people can’t get enough. 

The fireworks display marking the launch of the San Roku Festival in Asahikawa is impressive, both for the number of shells launched as well as the scenic river-side location. However, for those wanting a little more bang for their buck, the most comprehensive fireworks display in Hokkaido takes place in Obihiro (a beautiful small city south west of Asahikawa). 

By way of comparison, a standard summer fireworks show will fire somewhere in the vicinity of 2000-3000 shells. The Obihiro fireworks festival will launch about 20,000 shells and reduce the life expectancy of many a house pet. Even the smaller fireworks shows in Obihiro fire about 10,000 fireworks. Obihiro is quite close to Asahikawa, so if you find yourself here in summer and love to watch fireworks, consider it for a really fun short trip.

Those that don't have the time to travel the country-side too much will have to settle for the Summer Festival fireworks in Asahikawa, not a bad consolation prize really.

Yukata / Jinbei - Summer Festival Fashion

A yukata is a summer kimono for girls. Unlike the kimono, it is relatively easy to wear and priced reasonably. A jinbei is the summer wear for men, a loose two piece summery wear usually made out of cotton or linen, it’s great for the warm festival season. Summer, and the festival season, is the time people really enjoy dressing up in yukata and jinbei. You can buy them at department stores, kimono shops, or on-line. The price range is from a few thousand yen for a complete set to,…well, the sky’s the limit.

 

Asahikawa San Roku Festival 2008

The promo poster for this year's San Roku Matsuri (festival) has been released, well, to us anyway,...everybody else probably got it three weeks ago. In any event, if you are not already geared up for it, or alternatively don't have a great deal of information about it, here is what you can expect (in no particular order);

(1) Ice cold beer

(2) Fireworks (a very tidy display riverside)

(3) Traditional Dance

(4) Ice cold beer

(5) Quality Festival Food (more on this later)

(6) Traditional Taiko Drumming

(7) Not so traditional Taiko Drumming

(8) Mikoshi Parade

(9) Asahikawa Ramen (best in Japan)

(10) Lots more...

Beer is listed twice because with the expected hot/humid weather you'll really appreciate it.

Anyway, we'll post more info soon,

Here's the poster

See you at the festival