Seems like yesterday since I posted this same topic a year ago. It’s becoming almost a ritual going to see the Asakusa Samba Festival and then rushing to Koenji to see the Awaodori. I headed out to Asakusa around 1:30pm. No need to hurry this year because I got a ticket to sit in the VIP seats and boy let me tell you what a difference that made! I could sit down in a chair and there was no one sticking their elbow in my side or breathing down my neck. The weather was very nice and I could get some fairly decent shots with my DSLR.
At the Awaodori, I didn’t feel much like taking out my camera since there were billions of people. Only took a few shots. Today was the most crowded I have ever experienced in the ten+ years I’ve been coming to this thing. On top of that, there were 77 groups participating. The most ever. Tomorrow there will be only 57 groups.
Observation #1: The majority of spectators at the Samba festival were senior citizens (must be the location). I’d say 70% while at the Awaodori it was 70% young people. Lots of cute girls in yutaka too. Where do they come from?
Observation #2: Everyone has a camera, the digital camera business is booming. I can’t believe how many cameras there were at the Samba festival.
Observation #3: I was thinking that traditional Japanese clothing like kimono and yutaka really make Japanese women look very attractive while it does the opposite for western women. There were some western women wearing yutaka, which is fine by all means, only to me they just seem clumsy.
I will be creating albums shortly. I only took a few at the Awaodori tonight. Maybe tomorrow I’ll be more into it.
I think the top picture is another interesting observation that doesn’t need words to explain. XD
Yutaka? Looking at women in yukata certainly does, however, make my life feel like it’s experiencing an abundance of riches as in “kokoro ga yutaka ni naru,”
Great observations.
#1: Asakusa Samba Parade is famous for it’s oji-chan with their cameras taking photos of the young girl’s butts. It’s acceptable public Tousatsu (hentai) behaviour. But this year I noticed a lot more young people than last year. I went with my girlfriend, but we got there a bit late, so all we could see wear a bunch of feathers poking out from the crowd. Those VIP tickets sound like a good idea, how much did it set you back?
#2. It seems to me like the number of digital cameras in use at a festival or parade has a reverse relationship to the amount of fun one has. For example, hardly anyone takes a camera to carnival in Brazil, and they party non-stop for a week having the time of their lives. Yet in Japan, no-one in the audience was dancing, they were just taking pictures.
I have no problem with people taking photos at carnival, but don’t let it stop you from having a good time dancing and drinking! I’d like to see the parade moved to a different location where there are less old people, and more people dancing and getting naked! LOL
#3 is right on! I’m with you, I find those Awaodori costumes a real turn-on! Japanese women look totally hot in Yukata and the Awaodori hat. But the opposite is true, Japanese women in Samba costume just don’t do it for me.
Marcello, agree totally with you on all points. I was thinking that I might not bother bringing my camera next time and just have fun.
I’m not saying you should never take your camera to these events. I personally love taking photos of colourful people and exciting scenes. But you have to choose to be either behind the lens or in front of it!
You’re right there’s just something wrong with western women wearing kimono’s or yukatas