Akita

We are back on Honshu but facing north west into the Sea of Japan, based around the city of Akita (as in the beautiful dog). This morning we had a demonstration by local university students of the Lantern Festival where they balance huge towers of lanterns accompanied by drumming (top photos), then went to a beautiful old merchant’s house (bottom photos). This afternoon we had a performance by a troupe of local monsters “Namahage” (extra top) followed by a more restful visit to a shrine (extra bottom). We have just had a wonderful send-off with drummers and fireworks. A lot of these ports are old industrial centres with declining industries and populations. They are very keen to attract tourists and could not be more welcoming.