Hamamatsu Matsuri - The Festival of Kites During the period between late April and the beginning of May in which a succession of `Japanese holidays known as Golden Week, the city of Hamamatsu
in the province of Shizuoka is held one of the biggest and well-known festival, or more properly "Matsuri, Japan, called Hamamatsu Matsuri, a tradition that has over 450 years.
This year again in the days
3-4-5 May will be 'invaded the city for three days and three nights from citizens dressed in traditional costume of the Matsuri. As for the "quarters" in Italian festivals, even here every district of the city proudly shows off their colors and symbols and its residents of all ages, raging through the streets of the city dressed as ancient.
Already in the days prior to Matsuri anywhere you can listen to the evidence that the gear will be organized during the festival and watch the excitement that revolves around the two main events of these three days of fire: the parade of Yatai
and war
of Kites.
Yatai The carts are in fact people from all the main streets of the city, one for each district, each in its austerity is more gorgeous than the other and resemble the high number of self-propelled Temples meters. Inside of Yatai (about 70) stay some children who play traditional instruments. A neighborhood is more populated and "rich" more a symbol of the parade will be 'good-natured superiority to other districts. The Yatai are brought to the center of the city already in the days before, but Matsuri is the parade in the evening, when the carts are in the hands of people who appear traditional lanterns, the show becomes more attractive, despite, or perhaps thanks, the confusion of trumpets, drums and screams that accompany the procession.
For the climax of three days we move to the nearby beach
Nakatajima for
Takoage Gassen, the challenge of the kites. Here too it is manufactured, one for each district, large and tamed several meters against strong wind from Hamamatsu by dozens of people. Here too, the race is to maintain the most up and the more long can the `kite of his own faction. Kites in the race are more than a hundred and the show is guaranteed. The vast area is then the Nakatajima is ideal for hosting as well as numerous picnic for participants and visitors, all kind of stand is typical of Japanese Matsuri in an expanse of culinary temptations. Same thing in the city where in a slightly lower rate will still find stalls of all kinds.
Last Matsuri evening of each district develops its final march near the houses of their neighborhood, up to the starting point where have now been set up refreshments to celebrate the end of everything.
The town is so for three days at the mercy of the people in the party but also the tourists who come from different parts of Japan, attracted by both the major events that all the secondary events that are held during the period of Matsuri. Everywhere, both in stores and in supermarkets is to buy all the accessories to dress in theme and for those who do not belong to a specific district or wants to wear color generic is available a wide range of
Happi (jackets typical Matsuri ) of all colors, as well as the rest is obviously full of apparel. It is not uncommon even the casual tourist is then invited to drink and celebrate with local as well as in many Matsuri the real stars here are the food and Sake!
Hamamatsu, also as a venue for companies such as
Yamaha, Kawai and Roland is also famous for traditional music and modern and these days there are many clubs and associations who perform in various places in the city.
The period of Golden Week is one of the most chaotic of the year, perhaps the most eventful since almost all are finally on vacation. It is therefore necessary to schedule it to book hotels and trains.
Hamamatsu lying on the legendary street
Tokaido is easily accessible by train Shinkansen JR railways, then starting from any city in the country reached by this service. More economic alternative to the superfast train are the Bus (from Nagoya
about 2 hours from Tokyo
about 8 hours).
From the center of Hamamatsu to reach the beach Nakatajima is active in those days a powerful service shuttle bus from the city center, behind the Act Tower next to Central Station (Eki Hamamatsu) leads up into the yard where the event begins. Here
these links
the page on Wikipedia Hamamatsu, full of detailed information on both the city and on transport and
the official website of the City in the English version.
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