七夕祭 (Tanabata matsuri) in 平塚 (Hiratsuka, Japan) on 08 July 2012

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2012-07-08_jp-hiratsuka_tanabata.htm

[EN] Festival on 08 July 2012 ・ [FR] Festival le 08 juillet 2012 ・ PHOTOS ・ SUGGESTIONS

[EN] 08 July 2012: 七夕祭 (Tanabata festival) in 平塚 (Hiratsuka, Japan)

I discovered 平塚 (Hiratsuka, Japan) on 08 July 2012, third/last day of its 62^nd 七夕祭 (Tanabata festival) honouring two heavenly lovers, then relaxed at a nearby beach.

Joyful Japanese people crowded streets vividly decorated from the station to a distant plaza, buying food, drinks, toys and souvenirs to friendly shopkeepers. Some children, young ladies and even dogs wore 浴衣 (yukata, summer kimono)! At the plaza, skilled groups including children with funky hairstyles performed modern dances, cheerleading or traditional dances under giant flags. In a peripheral alley, a professional DJ in kimono gave a cyberpunk touch to the event :)

This great cut from my heavy workdays motivates me to return or attend 仙台 (Sendai)'s even more famous celebration in 2013.

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[FR] 08 juillet 2012: 七夕祭 (festival Tanabata) à 平塚 (Hiratsuka, Japon)

J'ai découvert 平塚 (Hiratsuka, Japon) le 08 juillet 2012, troisième/dernier jour de son 62^ème 七夕祭 (festival Tanabata) honorant deux amoureux célestes, puis me suis détendu à une plage proche.

Des japonais heureux emplissaient les rues décorées de couleurs vives de la gare à une place distante, achetant nourriture, boissons, jouets et souvenirs à d'amicaux commerçants. Des enfants, de jeunes femmes et même des chiens portaient des 浴衣 (yukata, kimono d'été) ! A la place, des groupes doués incluant des enfants aux coiffures funky exécutèrent des danses modernes, spectacles de pom-pom girls ou danses traditionnelles sous des drapeaux géants. Dans une allée périphérique, une DJ professionnelle en kimono apportait sa touche cyberpunk :)

Cette remarquable coupure d'un quotidien lourd en travail me motive à revenir ou à assister au festival encore plus réputé de 仙台 (Sendai) en 2013.

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Trip to 안동 (Andong, South Korea) on 19-22 June 2009

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2009-06-20_kr-andong.htm

I travelled to 안동 (Andong, South Korea) for the first time on 19 June 2009 to meet my local friend 장우 (Jangwoo), and hike nearby. With the rainy season just starting, the weather was capricious but–as usual–I was lucky for the hike. Nevertheless, the sky broke loose on departure day...

The first evening, we ate Korean food prepared by 장우 (Jangwoo)'s mother, strolled at the local dam, and played a few billiards games. On Saturday, we visited 도산서원 (Dosan Seowon), a famous academy displayed on ₩1.000 banknotes, then dodged rain drops to see the 12m-tall 제비원 (Jebiwon) statue of Buddha. While mom was asleep, I experienced my first Korean nightclub then a karaoke with 장우 (Jangwoo) and one of his friends. The nightclub confused me much as the dance floor was smaller than the space for tables and seats, and as the staff moved customers around, guiding girls to the tables of guys, while the huge stage alternatively featured disc jockeys, female musicians, and a male stripper! Bewildering :) Still energetic on Sunday, 장우 (Jangwoo), one of his cousins, his mom, and I hiked four hours among the trees of 주왕산 국립공원 (Juwangsan national park) under an oppressive sun; the highest peak called us but dark was coming too fast for a full climb.

The stay was pleasant and entertaining; despite our diverse activities, I strangely feel that I fully enjoyed and relaxed everywhere. Maybe there is a lesson for my life in the capital? Anyway, I plan another trip in the region to visit folk villages and attend the famous local mask festival held every year in September-October.

Trip to 群馬 (Gunma, Japan) on 27 May 2007

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2007-05_jp-gunma.htm

I travelled to 群馬県 (province of Gunma, Japan) for the first time on 27 May 2007 with eight friends to see 白根山 (Mount Shirane) and relax in hot springs. We drove a mini-van from 東京 (Tokyo) in four hours but got caught up in traffic jams on the way back. Anyway, the incredible emerald-green crater lake 湯釜 (Yugama) at 白根山 (Mount Shirane) was worth it. We hiked a bit in the area and even spotted snow and ice. Later, we drove to 草津温泉 (Kusatsu hot springs), where we watched the traditional 湯もみと踊り (Yu-momito dance) that was created to cool down the water of the local hot springs. We then bathed lazily at 草津大滝乃湯 (Otaki-no-yu), imagining how hot the pool would naturally be...