Tenjin Matsuri 2013

Yesterday was the final day of Tenjin Matsuri, the festival culminates in a huge water parade and fireworks display!

Along with Sanno Matsuri in Tokyo and the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, Tenjin is one of the three biggest festivals in Japan, so no surprise it attracts one heck of a crowd. There’s a great party atmosphere as people don yukata(summer kimono) and take to the streets to drink beer and eat festival food.

Food stalls pop up everywhere along the river from Tenmabashi all the way up to Sakuranomiya, there are thousands. Even before dark it gets really busy, people tend to turn early up to find a good spot for the fireworks later on. This year was particularly packed, and also ridiculously hot and humid, if you go be sure to take some water along!

So many people!

Everyone on the boats looked to be having a great time. I hate to imagine how much a seat costs. As well as the boats, special seating areas are set up along the riverside, a student today told me her seats cost ¥17,000 each!

As the light started to go, I headed back towards Sakuranomiya to hopefully find a good firework viewing spot.

Just in time!

Photographing fireworks is kinda tough… but luckily I got a few ok ones 🙂 Finding a decent spot was tough too as the police are constantly keeping the crowd moving along a predetermined route.

The fireworks are launched from a number of different locations along the river, so everyone gets a decent view. They lasted almost two hours.

It was nice to go to Tenjin Matsuri for a second time, although Emma had to work so I missed having her to enjoy it with. It felt a lot busier this year and after a few hours of being jostled around I was ready for home. As I passed Kyobashi station people were streaming in – lucky for me I live close enough to walk 🙂

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