Waiting for the Fireworks to Start

Another trip to the sea, fresh breezes cooling the summer air.

Yukata in the Sunset

Another trip was to Kisarasu, for the fireworks there. Girls in beautiful summer yukatas were everywhere, in a tradition that lives on.

Matsushima Trio

I was even lucky enough to find some models in the evening there!

Yukata and Keitai

It is great to bask in the dreams of a forgotten era, but modern life does bring it's conveniences too- you are never lost in a crowd these days, with mobile phones at hand. Keitai and kimono (actually it is really a yukata, lighter and easier to wear, so better for the summer heat), could be called convenience and kimono!

The girls looked beautiful wearing them

Kashiwa Festival Dancing 3

So people danced the night away, to the beat of the taiko drummers.

Kashiwa Festival Crowds

I had never seen Kashiwa so crowded- you could hardly move and the atmosphere was electric.

Kashiwa Festival Dancing 1

Summer is a time for festivals in Japan, and this one was no exception. The wild dancing near the omikoshi, to the beat of taiko drums, had to be seen to be believed.