Throughout the summer, many neighborhoods nationwide celebrate Natsu Matsuri, or summer festival. Often people stroll the streets wearing yukata and gimbei, which are summer kimonos.
Costumes were very lively and colourful.
Parks are lit up with colorful paper lanterns and food vendors called yatai lined up all around selling traditional Japanese cuisine. On July 22, we attended a local Itabashi festival at Heiwa Park, in full attire. Thank goodness it wasn't too hot and humid that evening. Days before the event, my gal pals, Mihoko and Sayaka assisted me on how to dress into the yukata. It was difficult having to do it on my own, which took nearly an hour to dress, but I think I did a pretty decent job! To my surprise, it was actually quite comfortable wearing the yukata, although I can't say much for the geta, wooden sandals. I guess it just takes getting use to. Rodney and Markus donned their gimbei's too. A gimbei is a two-piece outfit - a wrap top with a pair of shorts...very easy to throw on.
My friend, Yuka was kind enough to accompany us to the event. She didn't have time to dress into her yukata since she just finished work prior to meeting us. It was great having Yuka there explaining various traditions occuring and the different foods available. We enjoyed the yaki soba noodles and omochi, which is like a rice cake wrapped in seaweed.
Markus especially enjoyed the rhytmic taiko drums.
The excitement of the evening were several performances using unique instruments and watching the bon odori; traditional Japanese dancing around the center stage.
Joining in the spirit of the Natsu Matsuri
Here is a video of the taiko drums performance
