Ueno Natsu Matsuri Parade
The Ueno Natsu Matsuri or Ueno Summer Festival, around Shinobazu Pond, was held on July 11 to August 2, 2009. A variety of events and stage performances are scheduled during this three-week festival, such as paper lantern floating, yukata photo session, ice sculpture presentation, potted plant fair and more.
One of the highlights of the festival was the very popular parade of Japanese folk dances held along the very wide Ueno Chuo-dori Avenue.
The parade lasted over 2 1/2 hours and featured a wide variety of participants including marching bands ..
… and dancing maids.
How about Samba dancers you ask? Well, this parade has it – FTW!
Of course, there were lots of Japanese folk dancers in more traditional wear.
Music is important in any parade and there were lots of Japanese drummers in colorful costumes.
Some musicians preferred to ride in style instead.
There were also a few floats …
… and animals, such as panda bears and even a lion.
A mikoshi (portable shrine) was carried by the towns people at the end of the parade.
Finally, some of the participants performed at the nearby Bentendo hall after the parade.
More videos can be found on my YouTube page.
You went to this festival this year? That’s good.
This is the festival in Ueno with ice sculptures that I told you about last year.
This comment:
http://tokyo5.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/mitama-matsuri/#comment-275
Yes, we did attend this festival but only to see the parade just outside the Ueno station. I think the ice sculptures was held on another day so we didn’t see it.
You got to see the dancing maids? I wanted to see the dancing maids! Now Maid Runners doesn’t have any dancing maids… ;-(
I especially put this picture just for you
. See also the video on my YouTube page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsLOO7cZT94
Maid Runner doesn’t want to talk right now. Maid Runner is sulking in the corner. “Kawaii meidu-san tachi wo odoru wa ii na…”
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