Lantern Festival ~ In Oyama

Mid-August is a very auspicious time in Japan. During this one-week holiday season, called "Obon", spirits of deceased ancestors are thought to return to the world of the living to visit their relatives. Japanese families mark this return with gifts of food, fireworks and decorated lanterns -- all to either scare away or entice the wandering spirits.

At Mount Oyama, Kanagawa prefecture, during mid-August, the streets of the mountain village are lined with these traditional Obon lanterns. I decided to take a look at this local festival and practice taking photos at night.

Photos:
Pre-dusk lanterns.
Far right - some anime themed lanterns! (Conan, Frozen and one I don't recognize...)

Lanterns were of various sizes. Some were made out of milk cartons; others were created using paper with painted scenes. Fans of Japanese art or artists would truly enjoy these lanterns.

Photos (clockwise from top left):
Yokosou ("welcome") / waterfall / milk cartons / traditional ladies / milk cartons on the stairs / 
Oyama 2015 

Some lanterns were made with printed paper. I came across a row of printed Disney-themed lanterns sitting atop a wall...

Oyama is famous for tofu, due to the crystal clear water here. Many tofu restaurants placed beautiful lanterns outside to entice tourists inside...

I particularly liked this old, bearded man best. He was almost like the guardian of the tofu garden .. thou shall not pass....vegans!!! (laugh)

On the way down from the Oyama cable car junction, I ventured off the main road and came across a green tinted road lined with hundreds of milk carton lanterns. One house in particular, had very intricately carved lanterns.

Some of the lanterns were so amazing, they deserved close up shots...

The photo below shows the juxtaposition between one lantern and a more modern one...

The modern sign says: "tofu dinner from 1,750 JPY / wild boar stew /
some kind of rice dish (sorry, don't know the word in Japanese) / soba /
bowl dish / coffee and other drinks"

This milk carton stood out; on it, was a simple message written by an elementary student in the first grade. It reads: "Everyone, thank you always."

These illuminated lanterns were tucked inside a very hidden spot -- a darkened parking lot! I loved the orange colors and traditional scenes.

Orange is the new black:

At the Oyama station area, the main road was lined on both sides with very large lanterns. They stood at least 180 centimeters tall -- all towered over me. I was surprised to see a silhouette of Micheal Jackson. His image was fitting as Obon is the time when dead spirits are thought to return to Earth. His Japanese fans were wishing he would return for the holiday, I guessed... 

The following photos are my favorite lanterns from the festival. Simplistic scenes of traditional Japanese women in kimono, these delicately painted lanterns were gorgeous. No wonder so many men find Japanese women to be the most beautiful in the world.... 

Lady with a ball:

Lady with a lantern:

Shy lady:

Cold lady:

I really enjoyed this festival. It's the kind of place you can easily access alone; I saw many solo photographers/ bloggers like myself out and about. For those with Japanese ability, you will have many opportunities to chat with local residents, who created and display the lanterns. I spoke with one gentleman who told me in recent years, they only use LED lights to illuminate the lanterns. I also saw numerous university students from the area setting up lanterns created by kindergarten students. It's very much a community event.

I hope you will try to visit this unique summer festival.

Enjoy twilight!

Information: 

Oyama Illuminated Lantern festival. HOMEPAGE. 

When~
August 14 ~ 16, 2015 (held every year around this time)

Where~
Mt. Oyama, Kanagawa, Japan INFO (via att.japan)

How to get there~
From Shinjuku - Odakyu Line to Odawara. Get off at Isehara station. Use the "North Exit". Go to bus stop #4. Get on the Kanachu bus going to Oyama Cable Car station. 

Cost~
Festival is free.
Bus from Isehara station is 300 yen one way ($6 return).

Other info~
Toilets available at two locations: Oyama Cable Car station & Oyama station bus stop.
Free music events on a stage at Oyama station bus stop. 

Try~
Oyama tofu - 5 dishes = 2,500 yen ($25 per person)

Buy~
Spinning tops (handmade Japanese toy - famous in Oyama)

Jingu-Gaien Fireworks Festival ~ in Shinjuku ~

Last night, a fellow co-worker invited me to her apartment smack next door to Shinjuku station. From her 7th floor balcony, we could enjoy the time-honored, Japanese tradition of summer fireworks. This festival, the Jingu-Gaien Fireworks Festival, happens every year, around early to mid August from 19:30 ~ 20:30.

It was my first attempt at photographing fireworks. I selected my best shots for the evening....

Nikon P600 w/long zoom - Fireworks show setting:

 Fireworks in Japan are very different from those in Canada. In my home country, usually organizers send up one firework at a time. In Japan, there are "themes" or "groups" of fireworks every 5 ~ 10 minutes. So, you will see a series or group of fireworks at once. It's quite impressive!

Photos: Firework waterfall / Pink cross

Fireworks are sponsored (usually) by local and big businesses. Some community residents will also donate loose change to fireworks festivals in the area. In my local town in Japan, while shopping at the supermarket for example, the cashier will have a firework shell (ball - shaped) with a coin slot cut into it. It's for donations to the local fireworks festival. Cool Japan eh? ^_^

Photos: White / Multi-color / Pink / Green

To get the photos, I set my camera on the balcony railing, propped up with a towel, set the auto-focus, shot, re-focued, and shot again and again. It was hard to get the timing down, but near the end of the show, I found my rhythm. My best two shots are below. What do you think? ^_^

Best shots of the night: 

I am very thankful to my friend, who invited me to her home to watch these marvelous fireworks. There are many, many fireworks festivals all across Japan in the summer -- even in the smallest towns. Summer in Japan is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, meet people and eat local foods. Please try to visit a fireworks festival while in the country.

Enjoy fireworks!

Information: 

Jingu-Gaien Fireworks Festival. Website. 

Location:
Shinjuku, Tokyo.

When:
Every year in August. Usually during the second week. 

Great info on YELP. (in English!!) 

Royal Park Hotel Afternoon Tea

Yokohama is perhaps my favorite city in all Japan. It has the harbor front, ships of all sizes, lots of scenic views, shops galore, Chintatown, and a vibrant, international community. It's also (currently) the most expensive city in Japan -- more than Tokyo -- due to high taxes. Despite the money factor, a friend and I splurged on an afternoon tea set smack in the center of the historic district of Yokohama.

We had a reservation for the Royal Ascot Bar, at the Royal Park Hotel. Between the hours of 14:00 to 16:00, the bar serves up an English tea set, mainly for women. 

Photos:
Scanning the menu / pots of tea, a cup of lemongrass tea / my friend and a pooped out Cutenekko

My friend and I shared one set, ordering two pots of tea. I chose lemongrass for the refreshing flavor; my friend selected vintage Darjeeling. We switched our pots halfway through to enjoy the different tastes. 

The service here was very fast; upon ordering, our tea arrived within 5 minutes. The tea set came immediately after. 

Photos:
Full afternoon tea set 
top: sweets (French macaroons, raspberry cream, Gâteau au chocolat, mango mousse, green tea cakes)  
middle: scones (plain + tomato & basil) 
bottom: sandwiches (cucumber, salmon, ham & cheese)

My friend and I were impressed with the selection of sweets; the scones however, were quite small and the sandwiches were tiny. The price for the set was 2,700 JPY ($27) so we felt the overall experience was alright. 

While chatting, I noticed my friend had a really beautiful ring on. She took it off and explained she had made it herself; I loved it very much. My friend said, "Why don't you keep it?" Wow!!!! Thank you!!!

In Yokohama, until next week, there is a dance festival featuring Pikachu -- the most famous Pokemon character. We saw several Pikachu characters dressed as sailors or police officers, walking around the harbor front. Staff were handing out Pikachu paper hats to children passing by. I took a photo of a giant Pikachu stuck to the side of a building...

While living in Bangkok, I enjoyed various afternoon teas in the city. I haven't done it much in Japan, so I'd like to bring back this once-a-month tradition. 

Enjoy tea! 

Information:

Royal Park Hotel Yokohama. Website. 

Afternoon Tea (reservations required) is served between 14:00 and 16:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays ONLY. Site HERE. 

Cost:
2,700 JPY ($27) per person
Additional pots of tea, or cups of coffee are available, but are expensive ($9 - 10 each). 

Location: 
Next to Landmark Tower. Sakuragicho Station JR line. Train map. From the station, walk about 5 minutes. Wheelchair accessible (via elevator and moving walkways).