Matsuri Fever

  Japan is known for many things, and one of these is the peculiarity of its diverse festivals, or "祭り". These are held either in a small neighborhood scale, such as Bon Odori or some of the New Year's Mochi-making traditions, or in big, town scale size, such as Kyoto's Gion Matsuri, Tokyo's Kanda Matsuri or Osaka's Tenjin Matsuri. The biggest difference on the scale of the event is, of course, whether the local events aim for every member of the community to participate, the larger scale events attract people from all over Japan and overseas, boosting the tourism industry.

  Looking back at my almost 4 years and a half of living in Japan, I recall going to local Bon Odori festivals and helping with the Omikoshi carrying, also watching as an expectator the Asakusa Samba Festival and the Kagurazaka Awa Odori, or even dancing in one of the parades at the Yassa Matsuri in Yugawara. Since I moved to Osaka I have been able to enjoy the Otaue Matsuri, Gion Matsuri and Tenjin Matsuri. Also, on trips to Kyushuu I have also seen Nagasaki Lantern Matsuri, Karatsu Kunchi, the Air Balloon Festival, and when in Okinawa the Yosakoi Soran Matsuri. Endless source of festivals, Japan is now over the peak of its summer season, so I took the plunge and finally set for the North-Eastern region known as Tohoku.

  Without the unlimited Shinkansen JR Pass, nor the budget to buy each shinkansen ticket, I am adventuring with a JR seasonal ticket called the "seishun juuhachi kippu", which translates as the Youth 18 Ticket. Despite its name, it can be used by people of all ages, and what makes this ticket special is that it enables its users to ride as many local trains as they want during the lenght of a day. The full price is 11850 yen and includes 5 tickets that can be used on separate days. Considering that each ticket costs about 2370 yen and can take you for example for distances such as Tokyo to Osaka, it is a cheap deal for travelers who can afford a full day sitting on a train. If we consider the usual Tokyo-Osaka trip fare, done by shinkansen costs 12600yen, by local train full fare costs 8000+\-, or by night bus around 4000yen, so this ticket is quite cheap in comparison. However, the distance is covered in about 10-12hs, so bring some books for the journey! Link http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/seishun18.html

   My trip schedule aims to have a glimpse of each of the Northern Prefectures biggest festivals, dedicating a day to each of these. Here is the map of Tohoku:

    I have researched on the lenght of the festivals, some lasting 3 days, others 8 days, and chose a loop-like route starting in Iwate, going through Aomori, Akita, Yamagata and Miyagi. This is how my tight schedule is

 I may go for cheap accommodation such as backpacker lodgings, comic cafes (Manga Kissa), karaoke boxes, mc donalds, etc. And sleep in between trains. I hope to write an entry about these festivals once I am back!!!

  Here I list some pictures of the festivals I will be attending. In order I visit them, these are:

  Morioka Sansa Odori (August 1st-4th) Iwate Prefecture

  Aomori Nebuta Matsuri (August 2nd-7th) Aomori Prefecture

  Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri (August 1st-7th) Aomori Prefecture

  Akita Kanto Matsuri (August 3rd-6th) Akita Prefecture

  Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri (August 5th-7th) Yamagata Prefecture

  Sendai Tanabata (August 6th-8th) Miyagi Prefecture