Birthday in Japan

Yesterday was my birthday. It was a marvelous day. After sleeping in I got up and made my way through town. There has been a place I wanted to check out, Andy's Cafe. A small diner with a very American name. Upon entering the decorum was impressive but not the first thing of notice. Everyone but myself and the proprietor had a dog! Dogs fully dressed no less! The cafe had all sorts of American memorabilia; Blues Brothers, Rat Fink, Easy Rider. I ordered a Japanese styled hamburger-steak with an oolong tea. The meal was delicious and the dogs friendly.

After lunch I made my way to the train station to move a few cities over to Sawara. The Grand Sawara festival was in swing! Not terribly well known outside Japan, but an amazing spectacle. Giant dolls paraded around the streets through old town, pulled and maneuvered by teams of people. Drums and flutes playing inside the floats. The large pieces would reach a street corner and through complicated steps turn and redirect. The routs they took were winding and weaving though the neighborhood. It was impressive.

I wound my way though the parade and festival to some temple grounds that have been re-purposed as a fair grounds. Food vendors, carnival games, and all manner of fun. By this time the operators of the floats were all taking breaks, enjoying their dinners. It felt like a good point to depart. After making my way homeward I detoured to a popular gyoza restaurant. On my way home from there I picked up a slice of chocolate mille feuille crepe cake. A nice ending to a nice day.