Yesterday i was probably watching the most crazy thing ever, Nozawa onsen fire festival. So we went to Nozawa onsen yesterday with eight of hours guests, two hours from Hakuba, to experience one of the japanese most well known fire festivals. I've never seen something like it before and it would probably never been held in a western country! So crazy and so much free sake... I thought it would be more like a "show" and that it would be more foreigners/tourists watching, but it was mostly japanese villagers and they really did their thing just like they did it hundred of years ago and it was absolutely awesome!! Best experience in Japan so far, craziness at it's best!!! Here's an explanation of what was going on...
The Dosojin Hi-Matsuri is held every year on the 15th of January. Two groups of villagers play important parts in the festival - 42 years olds and 25 year olds. They spend three days building a big shrine, then for the main event the 42 year olds climb to the top, while the 25 year olds protect the shrine against fire attacks from the rest of the villagers. The fire festival is a big celebration for the villagers, and MUCH free sake is consumed.
The Dosojin Hi-Matsuri is held every year on the 15th of January. Two groups of villagers play important parts in the festival - 42 years olds and 25 year olds. They spend three days building a big shrine, then for the main event the 42 year olds climb to the top, while the 25 year olds protect the shrine against fire attacks from the rest of the villagers. The fire festival is a big celebration for the villagers, and MUCH free sake is consumed.
Beautiful onsen buildings in Nozawa onsen..
Steamed buns on the street..
Liana, Amy and Lucy eating steamed buns..
One of all the sake-men..
I've got so many photos.. Anyways, fantastic night and i'm soon off to bed. Tomorrow i'm meeting up with two guys and then we're off for a hike all day.
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