I really love the passion that these guys put into the collisions! Especially the fact that they are trying to impress their relatives in the afterlife. The hard work and time spent building these boats sends Obon off in a special and symbolic way. Thanks for sharing!
We had a ton of fun despite the weather. It was really cool to be able to see the action up that close and not be crammed amongst 1000’s of people. Cheers mate!
What a great festival! Thank you for sharing this with us. Those “boats” look like they represent a lot of time and hard work to craft each year. Really impressive!
Fantastic video that captured something of the magic of a fantastic matsuri. These festivals really are a full-on sensory experience aren't they! I love how the passion and celebration overcame the wet weather too. Big respect for the drummers and musicians too for presumably playing for quite an extended period of time. Glad you had a great time and thank you for sharing it with us.
The front boat guy on the right, he’s giving me big sokka vibes! 🤣 I wanna go to ALL festivals while I am there, which will hopefully be next spring-ish! I mean If japan opens back up for unguided visits by then… Unless you Quinlan are my guide, I would rather visit festivals, samurai compounds, onsen, plus the beautiful volcanic ridges and valleys in between without a keeper. 😅 but I’m definitely going north so if I don’t hire you I’ll at least hopefully see you on the trails 😊
It does look like it will open up to unguided travel soon! Fingers crossed! But I think next spring is a safe bet! And definitely! Would love to guide you!
Wow, great festival and footage! Thank you so much for taking us with you! I have a question, you mentioned in the video that there are 13 yakatabune boats. Who is in the "teams" for each boat - are the boats from different villages around the are, or from Tempels, or families, or activity clubs? There are so many people participating, it is really fascinating to see their dedication and passion 😊
Thanks for watching! Yeah- each yakatabune boat is associated with a neighborhood group in Yokote. The names are generally written on the white gravestone-shaped thing on the back in addition to the prayers. I totally love the passion involved as well. They break a lot of stereotypes of reserved polite Japanese.
This festival is pretty intense, so wearing a mask wasn't realistic for most participants. Plus it's a small town where this is held. Most spectators had masks on though if I remember correctly. That said, government is just recommending masks indoors, and this was all outdoors.
I really love the passion that these guys put into the collisions! Especially the fact that they are trying to impress their relatives in the afterlife. The hard work and time spent building these boats sends Obon off in a special and symbolic way. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, exactly!! Love love love it! Getting excited for the craziness of the winter festivals!
In general, the people of Tohoku are regarded as more humble/reserved but I love how their festivals tend to be the epic or wild ones.
Very true! Generally viewed as more shy than say people from Tokyo or Osaka, but during festival season it's just WILD.
wonderful video! the little butterfly friend was a nice touch! lol :)
Loved it!
We had a ton of fun despite the weather. It was really cool to be able to see the action up that close and not be crammed amongst 1000’s of people. Cheers mate!
Great fun! Thanks again!
Wild and dangerous indeed, Quinlan! Thanks for introducing Pete!
"Well, that was bizarre." sums it up pretty accurately 😄
What a fascinating festival, and with such high spirits! Also, funny butterfly 😄
Danke!
Thank you so much! Really appreciated!!
What a great festival! Thank you for sharing this with us. Those “boats” look like they represent a lot of time and hard work to craft each year. Really impressive!
Yeah! A lot of festivals have really elaborate "floats" or things that people carry that are built and destroyed every year!
Loved the butterfly at the end. It seems fitting as a sign of rebirth after CV19. Such a cool festival.
Great video! Japanese festivals are so interesting, glad to see they’re starting back up again!
Yeah, there were a bunch of them in August! Very excited about the upcoming winter festivals!!
I think it was safer to watch from here 😀 but how exciting it must be to be right there! Thank you so much for sharing. LOVE your videos!
Hahaha, yeah everything is generally safer from home! Glad you enjoy watching!
I love seeing you highlighting all these festivals.
I love going to them!
Love these festivals and that's in big part why I'm grateful for your channel Quinlan 🙏 👍Thank you and keep up the great work my friend.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!
Fantastic video that captured something of the magic of a fantastic matsuri. These festivals really are a full-on sensory experience aren't they! I love how the passion and celebration overcame the wet weather too. Big respect for the drummers and musicians too for presumably playing for quite an extended period of time. Glad you had a great time and thank you for sharing it with us.
Yeah, completely agree! So glad that you enjoyed the video! It's hard, but I did what I could to convey the atmosphere!
The front boat guy on the right, he’s giving me big sokka vibes! 🤣
I wanna go to ALL festivals while I am there, which will hopefully be next spring-ish!
I mean If japan opens back up for unguided visits by then… Unless you Quinlan are my guide, I would rather visit festivals, samurai compounds, onsen, plus the beautiful volcanic ridges and valleys in between without a keeper. 😅 but I’m definitely going north so if I don’t hire you I’ll at least hopefully see you on the trails 😊
It does look like it will open up to unguided travel soon! Fingers crossed! But I think next spring is a safe bet!
And definitely! Would love to guide you!
That is awesome! Thanks for showing and documenting this!
Also seems dangerous you wouldn't want to fall under one of those things.
Yeah, definitely! That's how two participants died in past years - getting caught underneath when it came crashing down...
Would love to see that in person very nice Video
Hope you are able to come some year to see it!
Wow, great festival and footage!
Thank you so much for taking us with you!
I have a question, you mentioned in the video that there are 13 yakatabune boats. Who is in the "teams" for each boat - are the boats from different villages around the are, or from Tempels, or families, or activity clubs?
There are so many people participating, it is really fascinating to see their dedication and passion 😊
Thanks for watching! Yeah- each yakatabune boat is associated with a neighborhood group in Yokote. The names are generally written on the white gravestone-shaped thing on the back in addition to the prayers. I totally love the passion involved as well. They break a lot of stereotypes of reserved polite Japanese.
Interesting odon festival. Wonder if other coastal towns have anything similar.
Great video. It's fascinating how deeply ingrained spiritual culture is in Japan, without dogmatic religion. Kind of the opposite of America.
Very interesting festival, I wish I could be there at least once in my life.
I hope you can make it there some year!
Q dawg in da house ! Festival style baby !
That is amazing theatre!
I wonder how crowded it is for us peasants. :) I also wonder about the Daisen fireworks festival. That must be crowded if it's so big.
Omagari was really crowded this year I heard, yeah!
@@GoNorthJapan Pete implied that this festival is crowded if you don't have a pass. How is it?
Washoi Washoi!
Noticed noone is wearing a mask is this just for the festival? Here in Osaka I hardly ever see people without them.
This festival is pretty intense, so wearing a mask wasn't realistic for most participants. Plus it's a small town where this is held. Most spectators had masks on though if I remember correctly. That said, government is just recommending masks indoors, and this was all outdoors.
The whistling drove me crazy
If only politics were done this way...