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 Daiei Department Store. To get there, go out the main gate and turn right at the second traffic light. Go straight thru 3 traffic lights (when they are green). A few block past the 3rd light, you will go up a small hill and come to an intersection with a 4 lane divided road. Turn left and get in the right lane. Turn right at the first 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. It begins at 6PM from the Fudo Shrine near the train station and goes parallel to the railroad tracks to the second traffic light. They turn right and go up the hill on past the front of the 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 try to see the parade before the Train Park break. See Friday’s map.

On Sunday, the floats go out again at 3:50PM from the same starting point. They follow the same route until they get to the west end of White Pole. They turn left and head down toward the base. 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 they home areas. 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