（５２０）　Ｕｓｈｉｋｕ　Ｋａｐｐａ　Ｆｅｓｔｉｖａｌ　　

The Ushiku Kappa Festival, a summer festival in Ushiku City, was held on July 27th (Sat.) and 28th (Sun.), 2024. I heard it was the 40th time it was held.

I had always wanted to go to the festival, so even though it was scorching, I decided to go on July 28th.

The festival on the 27th (Sat.) was canceled in the middle of the parade due to thunder and heavy rain.

This festival is for Kappa, who love rain, so there is a jinx that it often rains at the festival.
It didn't rain on the 28th. I'm a “sunny girl”, so maybe I was stronger than the Kappa.




① A yakiniku restaurant set up a tent.


② The words "Ushiku Shinkawa Hayashi Ichiban Team(牛久新川はやし壱番組)" are written on the float. You can see a kebab stall behind it.


③ I'm in front of the float.


④ There are many stalls lined up.


⑤ The parade has started. A kappa stall-like float has appeared.


⑥ I'm in front of the stall.


⑦ People wearing festival happi coats are walking by.
【※Happi (法被) refers to one of the traditional Japanese costumes, a type of short coat called shirushibanten, worn during festivals or by craftsmen.】



⑧ For some reason, the kebab stall stands out.


⑨ A "Matoi", the standard of the firefighters, is passing in front of the pastry shop.


⑩ I'm in front of the "Matoi" (the standard of the firefighters). There are fewer kappa than I expected. I'll be heading home soon.