Festival Season

Since Fuji Rock, it's been an impressive stretch of festivals to close out the summer and take us into autumn (although I'm still reluctant to admit that summer is actually over). Indeed, several festivals this summer were cancelled in deference to the victims of the Tohoku quake. Yet, somehow, I think I've actually managed to increase my festival output year-on-year.

Koenji awa odori. One of the few festivals I've attended each of the last 3 years, and this year I went on both Saturday and Sunday. Awesome.

Golden Gai summer festival in Shinjuku. I didn't even realize it existed until this year. The bars open early in the afternoon and serve little barbecued snacks outside.

Metamorphose, a music festival in Izu, was cancelled because of a typhoon that never happened. Crushing.

The smaller of *two* India festivals in Yoyogi Park this summer, this one in August. This dude tried to upstage India by setting up an Africa festival at the same time on the same premises. Not sure how well that was working out for him.

Brazil festival in Yoyogi Park. Messy.

The Labyrinth, a music festival held at the same location as Fuji Rock, with just as much rain. Much smaller and more intimate than Fuji Rock, just one stage, fantastic acoustics and 2500 tickets max.

Dosa stand at Namaste India 2011. All I did that weekend was eat.

Some random summer festival in Meguro. More importantly, I had just polished off an amazing dal curry lunch at Rasoi. Their naan is to die for.

We met this old man as we drove past an aki matsuri in some village in Shikoku. He spent nearly 30 minutes telling us about his town's summer festival, where they have fireworks, and I can eat dango, but oh no not today, they don't do fireworks during their fall festival, so please tell your friends to come back next year.

Veggie Food Festa in Yoyogi Park this past weekend. Impressive turnout, I must admit.