Did I tell you how much I love the Koenji Awaodori? Yes, it’s true. I’m becoming like those Disney freaks that go to Disneyland everyday just to watch the parade. Also, I have a google rank for “koenji awaodori” of position 1 and usually my galleries will come up at number 2 if you google it (The official site is number 1). However, searching just now my site was 8th, Patrick got a higher rank for his awaodori flickr photos. How’d he do that? Is his site more SEOed than mine? Patrick tell me the secret!! Anyways, this year the festival broke from tradition and changed their schedule for the first time in 50 years. Perhaps because it was the 50th anniversary, there are only 2 days of the dance festival. Today and tomorrow (8/26-27). No pre-festival this year. Luckily, I heard about it and changed my schedule to go to Koenji tonight. The brochure was also updated for the first time in 10 years and they blocked lots of routes to deal with crowd control. It was actually inconvenient for me because I couldn’t walk my usual route, but in general it seemed more organized. Last year was utter chaos and very very crowded. I didn’t feel it was as bad tonight. Also, did not take many photos. I figure I got enough of them already on this site and decided to just bring the GR. Above is the Microsoft-ren. I always miss them because I’m watching better groups but this year I spotted them for the first time. They were shouting “Vista! Vista!” and making a “V” sign while dancing. It was very hilarious.

(1) At one of the main viewing areas, there’s always a mad rush to get a good spot once they stop the traffic and give you the go sign. The police don’t allow you to step onto the street before they say so, but this girl went out there to stake out her territory. The police couldn’t get her to move and she almost got hit my a pick-up truck. What balls! but I totally understand her feeling. The time before they let you run for a spot is very tense and stressful (2) Rodney and Brad joined me tonight. They were Awaodori virgins so I had to show them what to look at and where to sit. They were all smiles and excited before the festival began. Brad mounted his GR onto a Gorillapod and probably got some good shots. I hope they enjoyed it (3) They gave out some uchiwas just before it began. That’s Rodney’s arm reaching out to grab another free fan (4) I’ve never seen this group before but there were some attractive ladies dressed up like burglars.

I’ll be going again tomorrow night and perhaps will take more photos.

So who’s gonna join me next year?