Tanabata (七夕, meaning "Evening of the seventh") is a Japanese star festival which is celebrated during the lunar year of July 7.
The tanabata festival in Asagaya was started by local merchants in 1954 to attract more customers. It has since been a annual tradition now.
During the festival's five days, the entire Asagaya shopping arcade is
decked out in colourful streamers. The festival, however, is
most famous for the giant paper-mâché recreations of popular cartoon
characters - each made by a different store in the arcade.
Asagaya (阿佐谷), being only 3 train stops away from my house, I decided to pay this popular festival a visit.
There were posters promoting the event placed around the train station.
From JR Asagaya station south exit, you can see the entrance of the shopping arcade - Asagaya Pearl centre. This is where the festival takes place, along the streets of the covered shopping arcade.
Giant colourful streamers hang along the sides of Pearl Centre shopping arcade.
The street was super crowded too, most probably because it was over the weekend.
The giant paper-mâché are the highlight of the festival. These are all made by the shop owners of the arcade.
Anpanman - sooo cute! Spiderman looks cool as well
These huge flower decorated streamers are also impressive!
You'll also find traditional Japanese games during these festival. Goldfish scooping (金魚すくい) is one of the popular games.
Upon payment, you'll be given a Poi, which is a round plastic frame and a handgrip. Thin paper is wrapped around the frame, and you are supposed to catch the goldfishes using this Poi. The Poi's paper breaks easily when put in water, so you should not move the Poi too fast when catching the goldfish. Once all the paper breaks away from the Poi, the game is over and the goldfishes which you managed to catch is yours for keeps.
Young girl in yukata catching goldfish - kawaii!
Besides goldfish scooping, there are also other variations, such as water balloon scooping (水風船すくい), whereby you are supposed to hook the balloon up, using a rubber band attached to a paper clip like material.
Some other variations of balloon scooping.
There's Ratatouille and GeGeGe no Kitaro (ゲゲゲの鬼太郎)
The word "Suginami" written on the bee character actually stands for 杉並区 in Japanese, which is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, as well as where Asagaya is located in.
On the left is Anpanman's closest friend - Shokupanman. Can't remember the name of the tiger though.. anyone can help?
Close up shot of Kitty chan... she looks abit plump ?
Food is also a must during matsuri. Chocolate coated banana is popular with children, me too.
Spanish noodle paella - this must be one of the largest food preparation I have ever seen.
The big pot on the left is stewed Konnyaku, not the jelly type, but a greyish brown type which Japanese often use in their oden. It is very chewy in texture, and quite an acquired taste.
Dragonball's here too! Where's One Piece?
Even Shrek is joining in the party!
Lots of ladies come in their yukata for the Tanabata matsuri.
On my way back home on the Asagaya train station, I realised that even the platform is decorated with streamers, in line with the tanabata festival.
How to get there:
Nearest train station: Asagaya (阿佐谷), JR Chuo line (中央線)
Exit at the South Exit
No comments:
Post a Comment