Matsuri

Today's a national holiday, apparently to celebrate the old people, although around these parts I'd reckon you'd need a week as there are so many!
The weekend just gone was our local Matsuri, or summer festival. I think it's one of the great things about sticking the summer out in Tokyo is that we're rewarded with these street parties. Saturday was a regular bon-odori with local folks (mostly comprising of women over 60) dancing traditional dances around a central stage while a couple of young kids bashed a rhythm out on a taiko drum. There were quite a few stalls selling the standard matsuri food, yakisoba, yakitori, takoyaki, grilled squid (is that yaki-ika?) etc...which is great as I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff. Especially when washed down with the odd beer or two. This year didn't get the chance to drink so much beer as I had my two older kids in tow, who would rather have me buy them candyfloss than queue with me for a beer. It was a good couple of hours none the less, and a great chance to chat to some of the regular faces you see around.