You’ve read it in manga. You seen it on anime. But have you experienced the magic that is the Japanese Summer Festival?
It’s Natsu Matsuri time again in Singapore and this is as real as it can ever get here!
Getting on the bus to the school.
Natsu Matsuri 2008 is held in Singapore’s The Japanese School – Changi Campus, one of the few institutions that offer the Japanese education experience. I’ve known it’s existance for sometime but I’ve never really been to the place. Needless to say I’m quite excited.
It never rains when you want it to……
However, the heavens was un-cooperative and proceeded to unleash an unforgiving downpour for pretty much the majority of the day and a persistant drizzle through the evening and night. Needless to say, it dampened the mood a little but then, the show must go on.
The school itself does bring me back to my Primary School days (that’s age 7-12). Everything is small and so were the toilets. Imagine having to bend down for the sink or extra low for the loo. =D
Stalls were set up inside the building, which on hindsight was a wise choice given the rain. Stuff sold included food, toys, more food, drinks, dessert and the (really) odd beauty care product.
Some of the stalls.
Getas or wooden sandals for sale.
Masks
It’s Domo-kun!!!
Sign says it all
It can’t be a festival if there isn’t any food! Check out some of the stuff I stuffed in my mouth while there.
The sign said “Tokyo Rice Curry”. It tasted pretty good though the rice was kinda hard.
Takoyaki. These tasted great. Sorry for the unappetizing background though =D
Taiyaki. oOgA goes ballistic. Uguu~
Hot dogs for all! (at a dollar of course)
Can’t remember what this is called. But for a dessert, it sure kicks ass.
nutcase23’s guide to drinking Ramune.
Step 1:Remove wrapping and plastic cap.
Step 2: Place plastic cap above marble stopper
Step 3: Slam your hand down hard on the plastic cap.
Step 4: Enjoy your Ramune.
Yeah I know that was redundant =D
The crowd there was pretty much convention level. This was partially due to the rain so everyone ended up squeezing indoors. There a few game stalls set up allowing us poor ignorant non-japanese folk to try out some of the games.
Someone won something big……and orange…
Bowling for the goal
The bowling booth is probably the most amusing one. The guys there manning the booth were going “Doki doki Bowling good!” (which can be roughly translated to “Super exciting! Bowling Good!” =P) everytime someone else went up to bowl. Lol.
Goldfish… I mean Assorted Balls Scooping!
Apparently there’s no Goldfish Scooping this year (Kagami would have been sad). It seems there was an issue regarding something about “Humane Treatment of Animals” so it was scrapped. I’m not gonna debate about it but well using paper scoops to fish plastic/rubber balls out of water is kinda………
And there’s the Balloons…
This ain’t the Waltz boys…
The festival ends with a Bon Odori dance where everyone can participate. Due to the rain, it had to be held indoors but as you can see, enthusiasum is not lacking there. You can have a clearer view in the video below. Again, I suggest you go to youtube for the higher quality version to make it easier for the eyes.
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[Impressions]
How can a post of mine not have a Lucky Star pic? =D
If anyone is going to ask me why no pictures of girls in Yukatas or whatnot I’m just going to say that this is not a cosplay event. They are here to have fun and not have their photo taken. That said, i certainly disapprove of some DSLR toting people who were taking photos of Yukata wearing girls even though it was obvious they didn’t like it.
Such people aside, it was an “enriching” experience for me (for lack of a better word) to be able to attend such an event. Too bad about the rain though. It was evident that the organisers were very well prepared for everything with ushers everywhere and shuttle buses moving so smoothly there was barely any queue despite the crowd (except maybe during a crunch but even then still clockwork). The same cannot be said for some other events (*cough* STCC *cough*).
It was a pity that I couldn’t get hold of a Yukata myself. it would have “completed” my experience so to speak. All in all a great evening. Here’s to next year’s. Cheers.
P.S: Thanks for everything Hiyuu =D
Obligatory pic of myself.
