Misakubo Festival 2023
Two Weeks ago , I had the chance to visit the Misakubo Festival, a unique and historic event in the Tenryu Misakubo area of Shizuoka Prefecture. It was one of the most fun and memorable experiences I have ever had in Japan. The Misakubo Festival is held every year on the second Saturday and Sunday of September, to pray for health, success, road safety, and a bountiful harvest, and to thank the local Shinto deity. The highlight of the festival is the costume contest, where many teams from inside and outside the town participate in various performances, such as singing, dancing, and comedy skits in front of judges. The costumes are amazing, ranging from traditional to modern, from cute to scary, from realistic to absurd. The men walking around wearing lingerie made me laugh so hard that I almost cried. The festival also has other attractions, such as a parade of the portable shrine (mikoshi) and a sacred dance (kagura) at the shrine during the day. These events showcase the local cu...