Shinto Shrine Festival
September 11th marked the shrine festival in the Nishiokoppe district.
Elementary and junior high schools ended classes early,
and by 10:30 everyone had gathered at the starting point for the mikoshi procession.
Adults and children alike wore happi coats
and moved through each neighborhood association.
Preschoolers dressed in ochigo (child attendant) costumes
followed the adults and the older students, walking on bravely.
It took about two and a half hours to complete the whole route.
Because people usually travel around the village by car,
it had been a long time since anyone walked this much.
The lion-dance team reportedly visited each house with someone at home,
which took more than twice as long.
Thank you to everyone for your hard work.
Despite all that walking, the elementary school children were full of energy for the sumo tournament!
They worked hard to earn pocket money for enjoying the evening variety show.
Although it was a serious competition,
the sumo tournament was full of smiles.
The whole village was awash in festival spirit for the day.
I will post separately about the evening variety show!
#Nishiokoppe Village #Shrine Festival #Mikoshi Procession #Parade
#We paraded through the streets #Tengu #Sumo Tournament
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