In Japan, every neighbourhood still keeps up the custom of the matsuri. Is it some scheme to boost tourism through festivals? No, nothing like that — they do it simply because it is tradition. In a place like Tokyo you get people coming in from outside to watch, but in a country town it is an event for the town itself. Even so, everyone throws themselves into the preparations. They practised for nearly a month, I gather. I suspect that is the sort of thing that grows a community.

Taiko drum

They wheeled two enormous drums around and beat them here and there.

Trumpet vine

Now that summer is here, the trumpet vine is in bloom.

After a lap around the town we drop by the seaside park.

Summer sky

The event carries on into the evening.

Beer and snacks laid on by Yamamototei

Yamamototei, the standout restaurant in this town, put out some simple nibbles, and they were seriously good… A place that can really cook does the simple things well too. The fried octopus was so good I had two pieces.

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