Sawara Summer Matsuri 2010 佐原の2010夏祭り

Back at the start of last year, I went to a beautiful old Edo town called Sawara, about 30 minutes from Narita.  At that time, I saw pictures of the summer matsuri (traditional Japanese festival) and have really wanted to go...!

Well, now I have!  And it was every bit of fantastic as I'd expected!  Absolutely huge and amazing floats, about 7m high, and weighing several tonnes each, are pushed and pulled along the roads and canal-side in Sawara.  For three days!  In summer, there are 10 floats (I've only got pictures of 9) and in autumn there are 14 floats.  Now imagine moving a 4 tonne float in humid weather at a temperature of 32C...  It was hot enough just watching, see the strain on their faces...!

Below are some video clips from 15th - 16th July, which really give a good idea of what this festival looks like, and the atmosphere.  Photos if you look at the right-hand link, plus the videos again at the end.

今週末に佐原の夏祭りを見に行った。すごい！山車が巨大ですごかった！今、天気が蒸し暑くて32C ぐらい。いたいと思う！下にビデオが有って右のリンクに写真が有る。どうぞ見て下さい！