Summer in Japan is super humid.  The Social Studies teacher at my previous school told me that Japan has the most humid summer of any country in the world (he has written over 30 Social Studies textbooks so I think that his information is probably pretty accurate).  Temperature wise it is about 35 degrees everyday but at night the temperature doesn't drop very much because of the humidity.  Not being able to get a good nights sleep because of the heat, this type of climate can be quite miserable, not only for us foreigners but for the Japanese as well. 

Japanese culture has a great way to distract yourself from the yucky summer weather: Matsuris.  Matsuris are festivals that are held throughout the year but most of them are held in the summer.  There's dancing, games for kids to play, parades, concerts, fireworks, etc.  For foreigners, festivals are about the best way to get a real quick gulp of Japanese culture.  It seems that in the summer there is a festival going on every weekend somewhere close to home. 

July 21st was the Funabashi Matsuri and the following weekend was the Mobara Tanabata Matsuri.  We were able to attend both festivals before we left.  We were also lucky enough to arrive in time for the Osaka fireworks festival on August 3rd.  Yukis' Mom and Dad and Yuki and I made the trek into Osaka  had dinner at Yuki's sisters apartment before a close up view of the fireworks from the apartment balcony.  The fireworks lasted for about an hour and although we hung out at Michiko and Kirin's apartment for a while afterwards, the traffic on the way home was still crazy.  An hour long fireworks show in a city of over 5 million people tends to draw quite a crowd.

The Tanabata Matsuri has an interesting story behind it.  Apparently a goddess princess was in love with some guy and because the guy wasn't good enough for royalty, her father forbade them being together.  I forget the whole story and don't feel like looking it up but it goes something like the two of them were turned into stars.  Once a year (on July 7th I think) these 2 stars come together

and that is called Tanabata.  The festival is supposed to celebrate the reunion of the love between the goddess and that not good enough for royalty guy but nowadays Tanabata is just another reason to have a party.

August 16th is the Yachiyo Town Festival and then the 17th and 18th is the Nishiwaki Matsuri.  I have been asked to participate in the cultural dance with other foreigners who live in the area at the Nishiwaki Festival.  I will drag Yuki along and make her participate as well.  Should be a good way to meet some locals.

Another big part of the festivals is the food.  Food stands (most of which are operated by the Yakuza) are set up on the side of the road offering all kinds of traditional goodies such as Shioyaki (see picture), deep-fried octopus balls, pancake type things, and slurpee type ice drinks. 

The girls to the right are wearing yukata, common summer wear, especially among young girls, for the festivals.  Yukata are like a thinner cotton kimono for summer.