Kumagaya Uchiwa Matsuri 熊谷うちわ祭
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Went to see the final evening and climax of the Kumagaya Uchiwa Festival on July 22, 2013 featuring ornate floats paraded in central Kumagaya.
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Kumagaya is famous for its hot summer temperatures. Luckily, it wasn't that hot this day.
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My video of the Kumagaya Uchiwa Festival on July 22, 2013.
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Twelve floats with noisy musicians paraded around central Kumagaya, Saitama, Japan from 5:30 pm and gathered at the main festival plaza for the climax at 8:45 pm.
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I followed the floats from Nakasendo Road near Yagihashi Dept. Store to the main festival plaza. Kumagaya Uchiwa Matsuri, Saitama
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Nakasendo road crowded.
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Entertainment stage at the main plaza.
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Hula dancers at Kumagaya Uchiwa Matsuri Festival.
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For sale
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At certain spots, multiple floats would gather together and jam together.
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A real spectacle, but it doesn't last long as they soon break up and go on their way to the main plaza.
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Kumagaya Uchiwa Matsuri, Saitama
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Great that they posed for us. Kumagaya Uchiwa Matsuri, Saitama
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As it got darker, they lit the lanterns on the floats. Kumagaya Uchiwa Matsuri, Saitama
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Yukata women/girls were a common sight.
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After 30 min. of useless speeches (not recorded in the video) by local politicians, etc., the 12 floats converged at the plaza at around 8:45 pm.
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Kumagaya Uchiwa Matsuri, Saitama
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The floats have mannequins depicting legendary figures like as emperor, samurai, etc.
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The climax included a ceremony to transfer the Nenban job (festival chairman) to the next group for next year's festival.
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Festival organizers and local politicians sit on a platform.
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Kumagaya Station
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