Zsup~!

I also saw far too many kids and more than a few women chomping down on these sweet goodies... Yes, they brought young ones along to enjoy the fun. In fact, an entire horde of children were front-row viewers along the parade lines, led by people who appeared to be their teachers! I honestly cannot imagine anyone from MOE suggesting this sort of thing as a possible school excursion... o.o

Even the bell at the shrine was suitably themed. There was a sign that said No Photos, but it seems that ignoring it on festival day is all right, because loads of people were waving their Nikons, Sonys and Canons. Telescopic lenses included...


This was the Object of Much Veneration... they had teams of chappies toting it down the streets, while the crowd busied themselves with snapping photos manymany, waving their cups of free sake (distributed by a cart preceding this one) and trying to cop a feel since apparently stroking the OMV will bring showers of goodies in the coming year. For those who missed the giant one, they had a priest bring out a relatively smaller one measuring only a metre or so. He made sure that anyone who wanted to hug it and have photos with it, managed to do so.