iwate yuki matsuri

My dear friend Chikako invited me to Shizukuishi for the weekend. The cross country skiing/Iwate yuki matsuri were part of the event put on in her town's local international association (taneichi doesn't even have one of those which is indicative of the overall interest in English up here...) So Chikako and I met last October and I was immediately impressed by her English skills and American-esque personality. We have stayed in touch ever since, but this was the first time I was going to meet her family and do a homestay with them. More pics on that tomorrow! Chikako, thank you for showing me around the festival! So beautiful!..........and chilly!

The Iwate Snow Festival is held @ Koiwai Farm. A vast, flat space surrounded by Mt. Iwate and her surroundings mountains, provides a scenic background for such an event. The festival is aimed at 3 year olds, but it peaked my curiousity, which doesn't say much for my own state of maturation does it? This year's festival revolved around a circus theme. All of the sculptures were made into Japanese Anime characters, most of which I have never seen before because I don't have cable TV, can't read the kanji in the manga/books/magazines and I'm not 6 years old.

Lost in Translation once again...its a way of life over here, but finding the answers and explanations sometimes take more time and effort than its worth. So, strangely, I've become accustomed to not asking questions, not having a plan and just winging it. With no further ado...Here are pics from Iwate's Yuki Matsuri, comment-less, for your viewing pleasure.