Local Matsuri in Chiba

Activity > Not area specific > Culture

Japanese summers, particularly August, are hot... really hot. Although the temperature stays around 32-36 C (90 - 97 F) the brutal humidity (around 60-80%) is what really ramps up the heat. Add those two together with a Heat Index Calculator and on normal days the "feels like to your body" temperature is 43C or 110F on normal days.

There are a few things that help cut the Japanese summer heat and or give you something fun and interesting to do to forget about the heat and one of those things is a Matsuri. Matsuri means Festival in English and almost every town and city in Japan has a local Matsuri in August at some time. Oh, I forgot to mention a key thing what helps cut the heat at a Matsuri is a nice tall ice cold Japanese beer... also makes the Matsuri more fun as well. The pictures below were taken at a local Matsuri out in Chiba, the prefecture to the right (East) of Tokyo.

A Japanese Matsuri is usually held on some big grounds area like a park or a school's field. In the center of the grounds they always build a little stage with lanterns hanging down. Every Matsuri is different (depending on the budget of course) but throughout the night they may have professional entertainers or local groups perform various shows up on the stage. Usually the local "shows" are Taiko groups or groups of dancers doing their thing, you're always welcome to dance along with them while watching. Don't forget, it's time to grab that second ice cold beer to get your body moving.

On the outskirts of the Matsuri grounds various food and game stalls will be set up. "Traditionally" and even to this day, most of the stalls are run by the Yakuza (it's a grey area). A "Special Kind" of Yakuza that travel around Japan to various events setting up their stalls and selling stuff. These stalls are called "Yatai" in Japanese and the Yakuza Yatai at a real "Japanaese Matsuri" give a great feeling to the festivities. There is a famous movies series called Otoko wa tsurai yo which follows the life of a travelling Yakuza salesman who sets his shop up at local Matsuri.

Of course there are fireworks! Once again, depending on the size of the city and the budget, the fireworks show could be short or absolutely incredible. It's hard to judge just how big a fireworks show may be before going because some small towns with deep pockets have major shows while a major event may have just a short show. If you happen to go to one of the famous firework shows of course you'll see a major show but, of course you'll have to deal with thousands if not tens of thousands of other people.

The game stalls or Yatai are very popular with the kids. In Japan there are a few traditional type games that you'll find at a Matsuri. The game above is called "Kuji Biki" and it's a chance game where you pay and hopefully win a good prize. The games are geared more toward younger kids and like carnivals in the USA, the games are geared for the house to win, of course. However, plenty of kids win plenty of prizes and this makes it fun.

This game (above) is popular with the really young kids as they can win a cute little balloon that is attached to a rubber band which you bounce around. The goal is to try an lift a balloon out of the water with a little hook that is attached to a weak string. Let your kid give it a few goes and then let dad give it a try. If all else fails, secretly slip the guy a 1000 yen note, get a balloon and become a hero for your little girl. After becoming a hero, it's time to reward yourself with another ice cold beer... number three.

As you can see, the little stalls or Yatai (did ya learn that word yet?), are very cute. This is a shot late in the evening before the guy started packing up. Normally this shop was packed with kids trying to scoop up a balloon.

Grilled squid, doesn't it look good!? In America we would be looking at a picture of a hamburger shop but in Japan we have squid! Yep, if you have never had it or you are a cowboy that doesn't ever go near seafood... it doesn't look very appetizing but, once you get used to it it's actually very good! Well, have another beer and pretty soon you won't be able to tell the difference between a squid and a hamburger.

Ah... the 'ol Goldfish Scoop. This is one of the more famous and traditional games you'll find at a Japanese Matsuri. See that little scoop the little girl is holding? She was actually very intense and super concentrating on success! It was very cute. Anyway, you use that scoop and try to scoop goldfish into your little silver pot. On contact with water the scoop starts disintegrating so you must have years of ninja training to catch some fish!

As the night wears on... people start trickling out and the grounds become empty of people. The Yatai people start packing up and the moms and dads down their last beer for the night. It's time to stumble off to your train or walk home. Or... maybe just one more beer. Break out the Karaoke machine! After all, it's a Matsuri!