Matsuri Filled Birthday Weekend

My 22nd birthday weekend is one I never want to forget. I went to the Nagoya matsuri (festival) this weekend and the Toyota-shi matsuri on Sunday. Both were a great time in their own ways, and I am so lucky to have both on my birthday weekend.

The Nagoya Matsuri is the biggest festival that the city holds every year. This year was its 70th anniversary, so it was especially looked forward to this year. The main spectacle of this festival is the “Hometown Heroes Parade”, a long procession of floats and dances depicting the historically significant Nagoya figures and culture. Since it was raining on this day, I and a couple of friends took shelter in the bustling neighborhood of Sakae’s Oasis, a functioning hub of bus stops, but also shops and restaurants under the cover of a glass ceiling. In the center of Oasis were a bunch of pop-up stands and stalls where local artisans sold their crafts and even offered make-it-yourself experiences. From making washi paper to dying scarves using the traditional dying method and even making mini tatami mats, there were lots to do and see in just this one area. There was also a scavenger hunt in which you collected 5 stamps from different locations in Oasis to collect a prize at the end. After doing this, I collected some Japanese sweets!

After spending a couple of hours in Oasis, we decided to walk on down to Osu, which is a neighborhood about a 20-minute walk away from Sakae. On the way, we walked through a long green public park that was filled with yatai (food stalls) and stages that hosted local performances. While listening to music, watching dances, and eating delicious food (I got takoyaki), my heart and stomach were content. Osu was a completely different experience altogether. On every corner in this neighborhood were street performances such as fire dancing or juggling while standing on a precarious tower of blocks. There was also a mini parade of large characters made of paper or paper mache on sticks held by people. It was an exciting experience that I am lucky to have been able to experience on my birthday.

On Sunday the next day, I was invited to a friend’s hometown of Toyota-shi, where the Toyota car company was founded. This was my first time in this town, and I was shocked by how oshare (stylish) the town was. It was clean and impressive, with what looked like new and technologically advanced buildings in a surprisingly urban area for being an hour outside of the center of Nagoya. Already, I noticed a shift in the atmosphere as I heard a crowd off in the distance and felt excitement all around me. My friend met me at Toyota-shi station and immediately dragged me to the nearest shrine where it seemed everyone had gathered. Lining the tight winding roads leading to it were yatai and long lines for each. The energy at this matsuri already felt more exciting, as it seemed the locals of this town all knew each other and were there with friends and family.

The rest of the day was electric, as we watched a procession of dashi, or large wooden traditional matsuri floats that are three stories tall. Young men chant and dance on the top, elderly men sitting in the middle, and taiko drumming on the bottom. Confetti was thrown to the point where you could not see the ground below you, and there was so much to eat that I was overwhelmed by the choices. Both matsuris were a great time, so it was a wonderful birthday!