Who is going to tomorrow’s naked festival, in Aichi?

Continuing on the same sex intimacy without being “gay,” tomorrow is the annual Shinto “naked festival” at Konomiya shrine, in Aichi prefecture. Wonder how far the train ride is from Tokyo? The festival website is in Japanese, and includes many images.

Adorable dreads and headband at Hanazono shrine’s festival

How did I neglect to post this dreaded hottie last year? I saw him at Hanazono shrine’s Torinoichi festival, and you can see the lucky rake behind him. Love the hair!

Eating action shot at shrine festival

I love that these suited men are sharing a single yakisoba, and that the camera has caught them with all four chopstick pairs in action. This is how Japanese encounter the sacred.

Can you ever go wrong with white fur, sunglasses, and rhinestone cellphone case?

No, you can’t. Also at Tori no Ichi festival at Hanazono shrine. Seeing beautiful people like this elevates me to a higher spiritual level. Or so it feels like.

 

Candy apple and eye patch are a killer look

When you have a candy apple and an eye patch, you hardly need an animal print vest and big-haired boyfriend. She’s rocking one of my favorite looks from Tori no Ichi festival at Hanazono shrine last month.

Hakuho doing a ritual dance, dressed like a sacred Shinto tree

There is something deeply spiritual about sumo. I love that Hakuho’s belt and lightning bolts evoke the ones you see tied around Shinto shrine trees. Maybe the gods enjoy hanging out with the sumo players, as much as with the micro- green spaces by the shrines.

Kids showing police officer new guns they bought at shrine festival

It still seems incongruous that every Tokyo shrine festival features, amidst food and game stalls, stands that sell boy band photos and also plastic guns. These kids seemed very excited to show their new arms to the police officer.

Tatsumi pool is a shrine to swimming

Almost in Chiba, Tatsumi swimming pool is my new shrine, demanding a cross-city pilgrimage. Since the Taiikukan in Sendagaya is closed for one year of renovations, I discovered this amazing facility. It has enormous windows facing a former lumber dock that now features decaying piers and flying fish. Not only is the main pool 50 meters, so is the so-called “sub-pool.” There’s a separate area for diving, including a 10 meter platform.

The clouds that day against the blue sky were spectacular. In the distance, at the end of the walkway, you can see Sky Tree to the north.

Summer festivals combine sacred, music, and eye candy

Not to mention group masochism to carry those heavy “portable” shrines.

Big hair worshippers distracted and snapping photos in opposite direction of shrine

I wonder if these guys work at the same hair salon! That’s some big and complicated male hair. I like how they’re focused on something on opposite side of the shrine. Maybe Anpan man?