The Kanaya Tea Festival is the more important for being held only every two years!
It is held on the second week end of April for two days, meaning that the ladies and girls of the whole town parade no less than 4 times during that time!
In 2016 it will be held Saturday April 9th and Sunday April 10th!
When you arrive at Kanaya Station you will know that something is on although it does not take place in front of the station!
The welcoming committee!
Expect to be asked toe with the welcoming party for the official photo album!
All ladies from the town participate to the whole festival!
As for the little ones, they do need some help!
A small dance party of cha musume will be on show in front of the Station all day!
No less than three generations!
You will find out that the revelers do not wait for the tourists to enjoy a few drinks before joining in the parade!
Such a festival is hard work and those veterans definitely enjoyed the respite!
All under the watchful eyes of the organizers?
Cha Musume Pageant!
Alright, ladies! Get ready!
Let me help with those knots!
So cute!
Note the way the dancers were carrying their belongings!
Over 1,000 dancers all set!
During that time onlookers are busy feeding themselves! Takoyaki!
Okonomiyaki!
Tea leaves massage!!
Professional demonstration!
Attentive young dancers!
Never too young to start! In two years time these little girls will be veterans!
Some great pics to take!
And you can expect some strong ladies taking part in more muscle-straining roles!
Like in many festivals all over Japan, drums are a main feature not to miss, whatever the size or level!
Drums has been one of the main features of the Kanaya Tea Festival right from the beginning!
Apparently this was the sole responsibility of the men at first, but now ladies and youngsters of all ages take part for a complete participation by the population of Kanaya Town!
These days the drum float is motorized and all six districts bands use it in turns!
Kanaya Taiko/金谷太鼓/The Drums of Kanaya!
Young and young at heart!
Mind you, the men were not losing out!
Note the little kid in the front on the left!
Not afraid at all!
They certainly enjoy themselves!
Expect the drummer of the day to be still a high school girl!
And what about those kids! Incredible!
Photographers should remember that “faces” could make up for a whole theme!
A friend of mine said the man above looked like a disguised truck driver!
These guys look fierce, but actually it’s all banter and fun!
Now, what faces are in front?
Even if you ask them to look fierce, they are bound soon or later to burst into laughter!
Even looking fierce these locals will invite you for a drink!
And young visitors and tourists will find their soul brotheres and sisters!
RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES
So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,
Must-see tasting websites:
-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery
Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents
SHIZUOKA TOURISM 