Fukuro Matsuri
The Fukuro Matsuri (festival)was held on the shopping streets near the west exit of JR Ikebukuro Station, Tokyo on October 10-11, 2009.
This is Ikebukuro’s biggest festival and attracts more than 200,000 people from all over the world.
This festival was started in 1968, sponsored by the Ikebukuro Trade Association with the main aim to promote tourism.
There were a number of different events including a parade of portable shrines (mikoshi), Japanese taiko drumming and a variety of Japanese folk dancing.
The most popular event is the Tokyo Yosakoi normally held on the final day.
A large number of teams that range from 10 member groups to 150 member groups participated in this annual dance competition.
Groups wear vibrant and colorful costumes and the dance is performed to the rhythm and beat of the naruko, small wooden clappers, but you will also find fans, flags, drums and others.
Finally, a few videos (more videos on my YouTube channel) to give you a sense of the action.
If you like Yosakoi, please read my blog post about the Super Yosakoi 2009 event held last month.
I went to this festival a few years ago.
It’s a fun festival.
Yes, lots of fun. I took my nephew who was staying with us for a visit and he said he really enjoyed it as well – it was his first Japan matsuri experience.
Pingback: Year In Review: Festivals « Konnichiwa
Pingback: Dream Yosakoi Festival « Konnichiwa
Hoping to visit this fabulous festival one day!
Pingback: Photo of the Day: Fukuro Matsuri « Konnichiwa