MISAWA SUMMER FESTIVAL
21 - 24 August 2008

DRUM & CHANT COMPETITION

On Thursday evening, beginning at 6PM, they have a FLOAT PREVIEWS and the OHAYASHI (Drum and flute) competition. This takes place in the Miss Veedol Dome across the street from the 100 Yen shop near McDonalds. To get there, go out the main gate and turn right at the second traffic light. Go straight until the fourth traffic light. The intersections has a four-lane, divided road on the left. Turn left and get in the right lane. Turn right at the second light. Then at the next traffic light, the Miss Vedol Dome will be on the right. Parking may be limited.

FLOAT PARADE

I have not received the actual parade route for Friday and Sunday. Info below is based on the last few years.

The first float parade takes place on Friday. They leave the Fudo Shrine near the train station around 6pm and go parallel to the railroad tracks to the second traffic light. They turn right and go up the hill until they reach the intersection of the main shopping street (One-way street during daytime). They turn left and head down toward the base. The should reach the intersection outside the main gate at around 7pm. They turn right at the main gate intersection and go the the park again for their break. After the break, they leave the park and turn left at City Hall and go up to 30-meter road. They turn left and continue about halfway down that road where they make a U-turn and go back the way they came. At the light by Suzuki Clinic they will break off and head to their home areas. See Friday’s map. By the way, disregard any times on the map. That is old info.

On Sunday, it begins at around noon from the Fudo Shrine goes parallel to the railroad tracks to the second traffic light. They turn right and go up the hill quite a ways, past city hall, past the main post office and turn left at first light past the post office. They then turn left again at the next traffic light and head back up towards the main gate intersection. At that intersection they turn left and go to Chuo Koen (Train Park) where they take a break. At 3:50PM, the head back up towards the gate and turn left on to White Pole. However, at this point some of the floats that are based in the opposite direction will break away and head home. I recommend you see them before they take their break. See Sunday’s Map

COSTUME PARADE - MIKOSHI PARADE

3PM Saturday is the start of the Costume Parade. This is followed at 4:30PM by the Nagasi Odori (tradtional Japanese dance) Parade. Then at about 5:30 Mikoshi (portable shrine) Festival begins. All three follow the same route which can be seen on this map