One of the (many) streets offering the wonder that is...

FESTIVAL FOOD!

(usually to be found, in various guises, on-a-stick...)

Me with banana-on-a-stick

Taiko, singing, strumming, and watching

at one of the many little platforms set up for the occasion

Tom tackles okonomiyaki, much to the delight of Jose

Fire Engine

Just in case.

Although we only saw one fire engine, and there were about ten rather 

large bonfires...

The fires are lit

The crowds gather around the pyres, brandishing:

Mochi-On-A-Stick.

For a menial sum, mochi on a bamboo spike could be

purchased, which revelers stuck into the flames 

of the bonfire.  Yes, we tried it.  Yes it was mochi.  

Although to be honest, it didn't taste too bad!

Tom likes fire...

...moo-hoo-ha-ha-ha-ha

Hmmm.  Our mochi after we'd half eaten it.

And yes, it does look like it's full of maggots.  But

we couldn't see that in the dark...

Jose's attempt.

Do you think it's done yet, Jose?

Tom tucks in