The Tokyo Marathon 2007 finish line featured various entertainment. One of them were these incredible taiko drummers. The taiko troupe's name is Kodaijin ??? and they are available for hire. Web site at www.geocities.jp/kod aijin_kdj/ Also see photos: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=489
This is the 2nd day of the festival when the Sagicho floats clash with each other in the afternoon and set afire at night. The Sagicho Matsuri is a festival of 13 colorful Sagicho floats painstakingly made with edible materials mounted on a straw and wooden base. Photos: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=530
Behind the famous Sensoji temple in Asakusa (Tokyo) is a local neighborhood where they hold the annual Ichiyo Sakura Festival in April along the main street lined with Ichiyo cherry blossoms. The festival highlight is the Oiran Dochu courtesan procession and an Oiran Show. Also see her putting on and taking off those high clogs. Photos: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=559
Three phallus shrines are carried along the streets of Kawasaki, Japan. Held by Kanayama Shrine near Kawasaki Daishi Station. On the first Sun. of April, it holds this now-famous festival nicknamed the Phallus or Fertility Festival. See photos here: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=275
Awa Odori dance festival held in late July in Yamato, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. This video shows a troupe named Chidori-ren featuring a crowd-pleasing performance. Photos here; http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=335
Tokyo's most popular train line arrives and departs Tokyo Station during off-peak hours. BTW, the yellow line near the platform edge actually has bumps--for blind people. ("What is that bumpy yellow stripe for?" is a frequently asked question by friends who visit me in Tokyo.) Photos: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=535
A suburb of Tokyo, Koenji holds the largest Awa Odori dance in the Tokyo region every Aug. This video shows three dance troupes which include cute little children and awesome taiko drumming. Photos here: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=337
Held on Feb. 17, 2008, see the start line in Shinjuku, Imperial Palace moat, Shinagawa U-turn, and finish line at Tokyo Big Sight. Over 30,000 runners. Photos: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=648
A Nebuta float made its way to Yasukuni Shrine during the Mitama Festival in July 2006. Dancers called haneto danced in front of the float followed by taiko drummers and other musicians. The float even went through the shrine gate at top speed. Photos here: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=338
Neat dance formations by various troupes at the Awa Odori in Koenji, Tokyo. Held in late Aug. Photos here: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=337
With great pomp and fanfare, Onbashira Log No. 4 for Harumiya Shrine was erected on May 9, 2004. Photos: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=573
New Year's Day at Taga Taisha Shrine in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Stage dances and entertainment were performed. Photos here: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=138
Okinawan taiko drum and dance festival held annually in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Eisa is Okinawa's Bon dance. Footage taken on July 31, 2005. Photos: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=531
In Okaya, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, there is a lakeside monument dedicated to this song and its writer, Taro Oguchi. The monument includes a music box which plays three versions of the song. This is the Chorus version and the entire song is played. Photos: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=519
The Sagicho Matsuri is a festival of 13 colorful Sagicho floats painstakingly made with edible materials mounted on a straw and wooden base. These works of art are paraded along the streets and then set afire. Photos- http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=150
Yokozuna Musashimaru's retirement ceremony in the Kokugikan sumo arena in Tokyo, Japan. A long line of people go up to snip a bit of his hair. Held on Oct. 2, 2004. Photos here: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=276
In Shibamata, Katsushika, Tokyo, there is a museum dedicated to the Tora-san movie series (starring Atsumi Kiyoshi). The studio set used in the movie is reconstructed here.
Festival featuring a parade during the day and colorful lantern floats at night with musicians playing. Held in mid-Oct. in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan. Photos: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=372
See the entire Aoishin-ren dance troupe perform at the Koenji Awa Odori in Aug. 2006. Very high-energy group. Photos here: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=361
Daimyo Gyoretsu samurai procession with their women in waiting in beautiful kimono. Held on April 29 in Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture. Kusatsu was a stage town on the Nakasendo and Tokaido Roads where the daimyo often lodged or passed through between Kyoto and Tokyo during the feudal era. Photos here: http://photoguide.jp /pix/thumbnails.php? album=359
