Suwa Jinja Festival-Fujisawa
Every August, the Suwa Shrine 諏訪神社 in the Katase area of Fujisawa holds its annual festival. Nearby districts sponsor cars (dashi 山車) decorated with lanterns, while children and young adults play drums and flutes as they are pulled through their areas. Finally all the cars gather in front of the shrine, and up seating areas of some are spun quite quickly. The center piece of the parade is the mikoshi (portable shrine 御輿) housing the spirit. At the end of the procession, the mikoshi is returned to the Shrine precincts. Upon removal of the lacquered carrying poles, it is set out for display.
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The Mikoshi (portable shrine) of the Suwa Shrine, Katase District, Fujisawa
During the evening of the main day, lay members of the shrine community (ujiko 氏子) carry the mikoshi with the shrine's "kami" (spirit) through the neighbouring residential areas.
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Scooping gold fish.
A common and popular summer attraction at festivals, visitors pay 100 yen for a paper covered scoop. The goal is to get as many fish into the blue bowls before the paper rips. Sadly, the fish might make it home OK, but few last long afterwards.
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