This week it was the Vietnamese communities turn to take over a section of Yoyogi Park with their culture. It only dawned on me on my way there i’d be able to get some rice paper rolls, a favourite from back home, those along with some 333 beers …. or as i found out, “Bababa” in Vietnamese.
It was another cracking warm day and living pretty close to the park it’s just as easy to walk as it is to get to the station, catch the train one stop then walk the rest.
Unfortunately i was over enthusiastic Saturday morning and stuffed the settings on my video camera so this week it’s still shots only, some of them came out a treat.
Music was plentiful at this festival and the beating of the drums got my attention.
It’s the season for Natsu Matsuri, or Summer Festivals and after seeing old mate with his fundoshi on the other day it reminded me of another set of photos i’d seen a little while back and lately a topic of conversation around the internet, that of women wearing fundoshi.
Although this festival probably seems totally ridiculous to most people, it’s actually as legitimate as the day is long, well, maybe not these specific pics i don’t know, but the Kanamara Matsuri “Festival of the Steel Phallus” that happens every year on the 1st Sunday in April is. I forgot about it this year and have visitors here next year but i will certainly get down to Kawasaki for a squiz at this at some stage.
In all cases … click the image to remove the hot stuff …. probably not safe for work though.
Sunday was the Yoyogi Omatsuri and although i was pushed for time i still managed to get up to the station for the start of their journey around the neighborhood.
The majority of my meals during the weak are eaten around Yoyogi and there were many familiar faces of restaurant owners, the lady with the green hair being one of them, her 2 grand daughters were nowhere to be seen … unfortunately.
For more on the Omatsuri and the Mikoshi they carry around you’re better off checking out the proper sources, for photos and some video keep reading.
This guy decided on the traditional Fundoshi an item of clothing generally worn by men, but on sale in japan for women this year. More on this tomorrow. 
