Memories of Ibaraki: Participating in a Festival

Another of my fond memories of my days in Ibaraki is taking part in the Mito Komon Festival, where I was one of a team who lifted and paraded the mikoshi (portable shrine). That is definitely high up on my list of the most memorable things I have ever done in Japan.

Being in a festival is a whole other experience to just visiting one. The sense of comradeship and the adrenaline rush are next level. What I also loved about participating is that it doesn't just start and end with the festival. We had gatherings before and after. Both involved a lot of free-flowing booze! What some people might not realize is that most often you don't get paid for participating in a festival, not in cash anyway. But back then they more than made up for that with beer and food. 

Taking part in a festival was never about payment for me anyway; being part of the experience was reward enough. I’ve joined smaller local festivals since, but they just don’t deliver the same buzz as the big ones. I have every intention of getting involved again. And next time, I hope to pull a dashi (festival float), which I imagine is even more exhilarating - and hopefully less physically exhausting - than carrying a mikoshi.

Have you ever participated in a festival? What did you do?

This is just a children's mikoshi and not from Mito. Unfortunately, I have very few photos online, from my days in Ibaraki.