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" |
These illuminated lanterns were tucked inside a very hidden spot -- a darkened parking lot! I loved the orange colors and traditional scenes.
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)
No comments:
Post a Comment