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One of the F-18s being towed into its garage, but Stan says it's really a hangar.
Today is a National Holiday - May 3 is Constitution Day in Japan. There's a festival going on nearby today, so we're going after school.
We're riding along the narrow (2-lane!) road that runs alongside the river. This is the way I go to my chigerie class. This festival today is in the same neighborhood. See the cute paper lanterns?
Each is different & looks like they may have been made by local school children - CUTE!
We've parked our bikes in the bike parking and walked toward the area where the festival is being held. It's been going on most of the day, and I just found out that some of the students from Stan's school performed here today . . . The ground is very wet because it rained all day yesterday, but today is nice and the show must go on!
Lots of taiko drummers - I've never seen them with colorful tassels on their drumsticks before - very cool!
Looking toward a spillway on the river where you can wade or sometimes walk across. A few years ago, we were riding our bikes across and Stan was "showing off" and laid his bike down when he slid on some moss. We don't cross there anymore. Tonight, they are wetting down the surrounding area presumably to prevent sparks from causing a fire - since that's where the fireworks will be shot.
Look at this gorgeous tree above us. I could see several very large nests where huge birds were nesting & starting to settle down for the night.
Looking the other direction as we walk around looking for dinner at the food booths.
Oh we never eat hot dogs & these smell SOOOO good cooking on the small hibachi.
And look - the buns are cut on the top, so it's easier to drop the dog into the bun. The only other place I've seen buns like this was at the famous Varsity Restaurant in downtown Atlanta near Georgia Tech campus.
I've hauled our camp chairs on my bike & Stan has set them up on the edge of the road facing the river. Ah - it's Suntory Time!!!
In front of us, an adult was sitting on this TINY fold-up camp stool. Definitely NOT made for our American backsides . . .
Check out the cute tarp they are sitting on. This made me think of Grandson Cody.
Small shrine next to a giant tree near the porta-potties. I stood in line for a while . . .
Closeup of the statue inside.
It's nearly 7:30 and all eyes are on the river, where the fireworks will soon begin.
And right on time - here they go!
They do fireworks a little differently here. There is a series of fireworks for about 10 minutes each, which all look like a "grand finale" then it stops.
After a brief period to "reload" another set starts up. Wow! These are just a few . . .
Gorgeous old tree above us. Some of these trees are said to be several thousand years old!
I don't think we've ever been this close to fireworks before! And the wind is still blowing, so the ash & smoke is blowing our way . . . but it's all worth it for this view!
The fireworks are so close and so bright, they light up these enormous & ancient trees alongside the river!
It's a Thursday night & Stan has school tomorrow, so we decide to head home - maybe the fireworks have ended??? But as we reach our bikes, it starts up again!
Oooooh, ahhhhhhh . . .
The candle-lit paper lanterns on this little road alongside the river, help to light our way.
Closeup of one of the hand-made lanterns. Kawaii! (cute!)
And STILL the fireworks continue, as we bike away. Only in Japan, can one get tired of fireworks before they finish . . .
Azaleas in bloom under a streetlight.
Gang of boys in front of the 7-11. Yep - 7-11 is a REALLY nice place to stop in Japan!
We like to stop here for a clean bathroom and fresh, delicious food. Stan's buying his lunch for tomorrow. And so ends another fun adventure in our own neighborhood!
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