After lunch I headed to a dessert shop! But maybe because the dessert I’d had just before was so good, it didn’t wow me all that much.
Est Royal 2eme: a Gascogne with apple and plum
It’s a Gascogne on the bigger side, and it didn’t taste bad. It goes well with ice cream too, and the orange juice that comes with it is freshly squeezed, so you get little bits of pulp, which felt really fresh. But the Marron Gascogne that wowed me last time was sold out that day because of the Kobe Matsuri. Isuzu Bakery’s curry bread was all gone too.. The festival is fun, but it’s inconvenient in all sorts of ways. Next time I’ll have to come earlier and get around faster.
Hula dancers with Kobe Port as a backdrop
While I was doing some souvenir shopping at Mosaic, I noticed a crowd gathered in one spot, so I went over and found a show by hula dancers and Hawaiian musicians. Very exotic, it looked just like a scene from the movie Hula Girls.
A closer shot
Though they look like they have a few years on them to be called “girls”..
Samba dancers filling the streets of Kobe
I’d say this was the biggest highlight of this year’s festival. At first I thought they’d brought in professional dancers, but it turns out they were local women. Everyone’s samba skills were so impressive.. just watching them was moving. I think this is what makes Japanese matsuri fun. A festival only gets interesting when the local culture thrives.
Even the kids came out to dance..
Who on earth came up with such a fun idea.. Kobe and Brazil, of all combinations, which you’d never think would go together..
A dazzling festival.
I don’t carry a telephoto lens around, so I couldn’t get any close-ups.. If that leaves you wanting more, go see it in person next year ^_^
Some of them are even dancing in skirts in this heat.
I have to respect that.
A colorful parade passes by too.
It was a great performance.
At the end of the parade came the mascot..
I’m not sure whether I picked a good day or not, but it was fun. I drove that day, and the traffic was terrible and parking was a pain. Next time I should just come by train.
Before heading home I stopped by Igrek’s cake shop.
Stylish, isn’t it.
I bought this jelly.
It wasn’t as good as I expected.
And this peach cake..
It lacked impact.. I guess this level just doesn’t satisfy me anymore..