Ashigara Kintaro Festival

It is held in early August every year here in Minami-ashigara. Come and join us !!!
Reported by Toyo Kato.

• Kids Sumo wrestling tournament

  ---

  After a Shintoism ritual called "Omizu-tori" (to ladle holy water) at Yuhinotaki fall , Sumo wrestling tournament for children starts to decide "Yokozuna champion" of the year.

  "Yokozuna champion" of the year will obtain an honorable position in the ashigara grand parade.
  

• Ashigara-bayashi performed by kids

  ---

  

  At night, children play "Ashigara-bayashi"
  "Bayashi (Hayashi)" means musical accompaniment in Japanese classical or folk music using traditional drums and flutes.

• Yomise (Night stalls)

  ---

  Many night stalls are set up along the street on the festival days, which is very popular everywhere in Japan.

  

  Let me introduce one of my favorite Yomise's, which is okonomiyaki yomise.
  "Okonomiyaki" is a Japanese version of Italian pizza.
  It is naturally soy sauce based and put all kinds of edible stuff in it.
  

• Kids draw pictures of Kintaro

  ---

  Drawings school kids specially made for this festival.
  Enjoy it !!!
  
• Festival sketches

  ---

  A cute girl wearing Japanese "Yukata".
  

  What a cute Kintaro costume !
  

  Wearing Kintaro T-shirts.
  

• Grand parade

  ---

  The biggest parade in the town (small though, honestly speaking).
  A strong looking boy sitting in the center of the open car is Sumo "Yokozuna champion" of the year.

  Several pictures are here to convey the atmosphere of the parade to you.
  

• Grand finale....Fireworks

  ---

  

  There is a display of fireworks at the end of the festival.

  Well, folks, see you again next year at Ashigara Kintaro festival.