Arashiyama & Danjiri Matsuri

The other day I set out to Arashiyama, part of North Kyoto, In order to meet my third speaking partner, Katsuya. Arashiyama is known for being more rural and for it's beautiful mountains that follow quickly flowing rocky rivers. I went with my two conversation partners Kengo and Shinji to meet Katsuya. They are all great fun guys and very nice. I think we all have the same goofy sense of humor. They told me today they were afraid I thought they were weird for acting all crazy, but I assured them it's right up my alley. Anyway we went on a "Romantic Train Ride", after we met Katsuya, which was like an east stroudsburgh (Pennsylvania) type train ride, but on a scale just a little higher! We went back to Katsuya's house which is in the Arashiyama area and had a huge dinner consisting of many types of sushi like, tuna, salmon, shrimp, octopus, squid, and egg sushi. All were pretty good. I'm also happy I no longer choke this food down. We then all just chilled out and even played some Nintendo 64 Mario Tennis where I proceeded to hand my speaking partners their bums!

So, I went to Danjiri Festival the following day, which is a huge celebration in Osaka. I went with Levi, Ayako, Nono, Mitsugi, and Chouka. Many towns come to the parade after creating huge floats that can weigh over a couple tons so they can be raced down the streets. The floats are pulled by the members of the town (mostly men) while being dressed in a certain uniform to represent their respected towns. The float is supposed to cast away any demons from the towns. It was so amazing to witness the mass amounts of Japanese men pulling the floats as little kids on the inside of the float bang on Taiko drums or play flutes. The melody for the festival was great. Food stalls were everywhere selling much yummy food like yakitori(octopus balls), takoyaki(chicken on a stick), ikayaki(squid on a stick), fruit crapes, candy apples, cake balls, and also pineapple on sticks! It was too delicious and being combined with a day of not eating made it just that much greater. Japan really knows how to do festivals. If you're lucky you also get to witness the men attempting to make 90 degree turns, while half drunk, slamming into other floats. I didn't witness anyone actually falling off the Danjiri, but it's reported that on average everyyear that two people die during the festival. After leaving the festival we went to a mall by Osaka Bay, bought some juice and layed by the bay listening to water and chatting. Great way to finish up the evening before slamming into the crowded trains for the ride home. I love Japanese festivals!!!!

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