03 May 2005

Last updated: 03/05/05

 I was woken up this morning to the sound of brass bands, shouting, singing, taiko-ing, and general festival-type noises...  It turns out that the portable shrines were being aired and processed around the streets, being thrown up and down a few times to shouts of "washoi, washoi".  An interesting way to be woken up, at any rate.


After enjoying a concert at Harmony Hall this afternoon, we went to meet up with some people at Nishiyama park in Sabae, and to admire the azaleas - by the thousand -  and to take advantage of all the festival food.  We're on day 2 of the Sabae Azalea festival...


 

 
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A portable shrine just at the end of our road...

Nishiyama park, the azaleas and a fountain

 

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Another view of the fountain

The birthday girl - Nicola - takes the neighbourhood pup for a run

 

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More azaleas

A Japanese couple enjoying the peace and solitude of the park (shame about all those annoying gaijin with cameras...ahem)

 

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Tom, enjoying the sunshine

There are, literally, thousands of azaleas in Nishiyama park.  The smell of them is absolutely gorgeous, too!  I'm glad I got to see them this year :)

 

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