Nara 17th,
Japan 2017-2018

Today, there will be one of the most important festivities in Nara. I go for a stroll before the streets get packed with the festival attendees.

Festivals in Japan always mean street food. And there is much to choose from.

The reason I visited Nara on the 17th is the Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri. I enjoy the parade of characters and the performers also seems to have a good time.

"The Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri takes place annually at Kasugataisha Shrine in December. A range of events is held over four days from December 15 to 18, with the main parade held on December 17. The festival has been held consecutively for nearly 900 years and the performances associated with it have been designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. On December 17, a procession of priests, samurai, and locals in 12th century attire start from outside the prefectural office and make their way along the main street, Sanjo-dori, eventually arriving at Kasugataisha late at night. Shinto dance (kagura) and traditional courtly song and dance (bugaku) are performed along the route, with a variety of other festivities occurring sporadically."

Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri  春日若宮おん祭り

The festival it has been even better than I expected. After watching many similar festivals on TV, I am happy to be able to attend to one myself. I am astonished by the amount of participants, and the intricacies of their costumes. This is for sure an epic effort of the city to keep a long-held tradition.