Enjoy roasted corn at lovely riverside "Kanzeon-Bodhisattva Lantern Festival"!

Let's enjoy a pleasant afternoon & cool evening while tasting the delights & atmosphere of an old Japanese fair with many food stalls & gorgeous illuminations from more than 1000 lanterns which will float for 500 meters along the curves of the old Saka river!

Whether you like to eat fresh, sweet roasted corn or not, join us to experience the sensual delights of a summer afternoon & evening at the wonderful "Kanzeon~ Bodhisattva Festival " or "Kento-matsuri" & "Tosaka Votive light festival", held each year along the banks of the Sakagawa which flows through Matsudo!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=I3PdzAJgGrk

(Video & posters shown here are all from a few years ago)

We may enjoy strolling while wearing festive yukata & other traditional costumes of the season. Come just as you are, or dress up for more fun!

There will be music, songs, drumming, dancing, fire-juggling, plus lots of tasty treats from dozens of "yatai" or vendors, among other entertainments!

"Corn City", a play area for kids, Enro Sashimi, Special Stage Events, a "Most Beautiful Yukata" contest & much more!

Find "nagomi" (calmness) "yasuragi" (peace) & "natsukashii" (nostalgia) in this unique historic town!

It's easy to get to Matsudo, so why don't we all go?

(The festival starts at 3pm & ends at 9, so come early if you want & stay as late as you like. I'll be there!)

@}:^)

In Edo times, Matsudo-juku ("Juku": a stop-over town with inns for travelers on an Edo-era highway) flourished as a vital post town on the Mito-kaido road which was a major hub of transportation along the river.

Beside old Matsuura Temple, the summer event "Toumorokoshi-Ichi" or "corn city" continues from the Edo period. All around a fragrant aroma spreads. Customers eager to taste savory corn make a long queue!

In hot weather, the sweet, delicious locally grown corn, hand-roasted one by one on a charcoal fire is very popular each year!

"If you visit Matsuushuji on this day, it is said that there is the same benefit as sacrificing for 4000 to 6000 days!"

Sounds good to me!
@}:^)

Join "Sekkaroku" at the Saka river like this: Buy a "Grandma's Dream Lantern" made by local volunteers at 500 yen for each lamp. Add color with pens & markers as you like, write down your prayer or image & let it float out on the river from the pier next to the brick bridge.

"In old days people offered lights & prayed at the Bodhisattva festival & gave thanks for blessings of nature by floating lights on the Sakagawa as offerings to the nearby temples & shrines."

Lanterns flow slowly toward Chunpu Bridge & gather in front of "Sakagawa Hiroba" stage. How the lanterns flow with flickering lights on the river is truly fantastic, a sight you'll always want to remember!

2018 event poster: https://kawazuzakura.wixsite.com/kentou/blank-7
Event Map: https://kawazuzakura.wixsite.com/kentou/blank-8
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http://matsudo-yasashii-labo.jp/theme07/160.html
https://kawazuzakura.wixsite.com/kentou/blank
https://kawazuzakura.wixsite.com/kentou/blank-3

(I'll update the schedule of events & poster as soon as possible!)
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JR Matsudo Station is easily reached from Tokyo, Chiba, Edogawa or Katsushika-ku by JR Joban Line, Shin-Keisei Line or Metro Chiyoda Line.

Only 20 minutes & no transfers on the JR Joban Line from Nippori station or 40 minutes from Kasumigaseki on the Metro Chiyoda Line, this might be the perfect Saturday afternoon get-away for many of you!

From JR Ichikawa (Sobu Line) station @ Bus Stop #1, take bus #11 for "Matsudo station" or "Matsudo garage" & exit at Matsudo Station.

Locate the West Exit & we'll meet you there!

@}:^)

NOTE: Being late, a "no-show" or changing your RSVP after the deadline affects the members & organizer, so please be kind.

There's no set fee for the Meetup, but donations of ￥500-￥1000 are appreciated!

Summer weather is changeable. A folding umbrella & insect spray can be useful!

Thanks!

Your Meetup organizer, Kerry D. @}:^)