Yesterday was the Festival of our area's shrines.

"Kandajinja" (lit: The shrine of the field of gods)

is the shrine you've seen in many of my photos and also videos, when I'm showing games with my students, outside.

Shrines are often mixed up with temples, but they're different.

It is not an easy thing to explain, and before I say something wrong here, please check it up on the net.

One basic thing is that they are far far older here in Japan.  Still they haven't changed that much.  Even if shrines are rebuild, they have the same architecture than before.

There is not one god  living here, and not one god to worship.

There is god in everything.  That's why for example, we tell kids not take tree branches or stones outside of the shrine area.  It all belongs there and needs to be put back.

Well, anyway, this festival is a long procedure of worshipping and everyone carries these little shrines around the village for 2-3 hours.
The shouting of "Wasshoi!" is like a cheering and goes on for this whole time~nothing else said in between;  but there are a few breaks for Sake, little snacks and juice.

Hope you enjoy!

Before it is completely out of time:
A few cherry blossoms for you!

Our "Hanami" (=Cherry blossom viewing) was at perfect timing.

A day later most of the blossoms were gone.

Having a "Hanami" is something you just can't skip when you are in Japan.

People meet with lunch boxes and sake, or like we do every year: BBQ.
There are often different groups in one park but many times it ends up as a big "coming together".

A few of you wanted to see me in Kimono~ so here you go!