Bonus Update: Matsuri and Tanabata

So, this is my update for the big weekend where I didn't take time to rest TT_TT and instead went to the Matsuri and Tanabata celebrations in Natori and Sendai respectively.  I liked them in their own ways, however I have to say the heat was dreadful and I felt like I was going to die frequently.  Thankfully, I was able to stay hydrated to mitigate the problem.

So this one is blue, not green...does that count as a new barricade for my collection?  Screw it, I'm counting it.

Looks like a mini fair ground, doesn't it?  This is Matsuri.  Lot's of stalls selling food, some live entertainment, and just good family fun.

Light bulb glasses are apparently a thing here.  The LED on the top makes the soda sparkle in it.

Live performances were on this stage, with contests, and notably, student dancing.  These kids can move.

It is hip hop though, so...eehhhhhh...

I got another soda because I was thirsty.  Also, my meal for the day was takoyaki and a special egg and bacon millet pancake.  All good and full of veggies, like cabbage and ginger.

On my way home from Matsuri, I stopped for a few glamour shots, as there are tons of beautiful areas like this park all over Natori.  Japan really is a lovely country.

Moving on, we have Tanabata.  The basic story follows a star crossed love separated by circumstance and we use these colorful decorations to show support for these young lovers in the heavens.  They come in all shapes and sizes.

Panda decos.

Oh, did I forget to mention this was all just in the station?  TO THE STREETS!!!

Another part of Tanabata is hanging wishes you have for the new year on a tree and these decorations are meant to symbolize that tied wish.

It starts out small, but...

Yeah, the decorations get really massive in the open arcades, with shielding from the rain.

These hanging decos are actually hundreds of tiny peace cranes.

Close up.  Can you see the cranes?

This massive bit of golden glowing decorations and cranes was a sight to behold.

Yes, that is the Mcdonald's M.  Even, and especially, companies can get in on this.

Once in a while we had some fun street performers.  The music was nice, but it was too crowded out for my taste.

Kudos on the costumes though, really cool.

It's more of a family holiday here with few temples and frankly, the heat drove me to seek shelter, so this was all I could manage.  Thus ends my Tanabata odyssey.