Koenji Awa odori festival part 3

Koenji Awa odori festival part 3

 

It's Sunday today, so I thought there might be fewer people, and I headed to Koenji with my camera. But wow... there are way more people than yesterday! It's almost impossible to see properly because I'm getting pushed around by the crowd.

 

 

As you can see by comparing with yesterday's post, there are significantly more people today. So, today I mainly focused on capturing the scenes around the streets where the Awa Odori is taking place.

 

Of course, Japanese festivals also offer a fascinating array of food stalls. Here's a place selling grilled corn, yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), and beer.

 

Here's a stall selling okonomiyaki (savory pancake) and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers). The surrounding convenience stores and shops probably saw their sales increase by about tenfold today.

 

The yakisoba (stir-fried noodles) stall, always showcasing near-magical cooking skills.

 

It seems like many Japanese people enjoy shaved ice flavored with cherry or strawberry. Shaved ice varieties often just seem to be ice, food coloring, and sugar syrup, which gives them a somewhat unhealthy or artificial feel.

 

The ever-present festival favorite: goldfish scooping.

 

the first team is preparing by 6PM.

 

As the adorable little kids danced past, many people burst into laughter.

 

This team was very popular because of their energetic dancing.

 

the Nakamura-bashi Ren (team). I remember seeing a banner yesterday when I passed by Nakamura-bashi, announcing their participation in the Awa Odori. So this is the team!

 

okonomiyaki (savory pancake) and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers)

 

Here's a stall selling choco-banana, which is chocolate-covered banana.

 

It was a bit of a struggle with the crowds today, but the Awa Odori is definitely a fun festival. If anyone asked me what the most enjoyable experience was during my time living in Tokyo, I would unequivocally say the Koenji Awa Odori is the best. It's a shame that the photos can't fully capture the excitement of the Awa Odori. For those traveling from overseas, if you check the Awa Odori dates online and book a hotel near Koenji, you can thoroughly enjoy the festival. Plus, Koenji Station is on the Chuo Line, making transportation very convenient.