Festival Procession

I was at my neighborhood park on a recent afternoon when festival music announced the approach of a procession, as seen in this video.

Vintage Cars

The last car, however, appears older, probably 50s.

Good weather brings out the aficionados of classic cars, these American makes from the 60s and 70s, I'd guess.

Shrine Offering: 供え物

Clearly a feast day or festival is to be celebrated for the deity enshrined here. Offerings include sake, apples, bananas, daikon, and konbu. Such votive offerings are called sonaemono。

Fantastic Lunch: Nagoya

Some time ago I happened to be in Nagoya and stumbled upon the Nagono Community Center. The facility, located in a repurposed elementary school, comprises apartments, a public space and playground, and a cafe. As it was after 1 pm and I hadn't eaten since

breakfast, I decided to check out the latter, housed in the old school kitchen. Fresh, seasonal ingredients, great service and atmosphere, really outstanding. Nagono Community Center 052-565-0714 https://g.co/kgs/S4zRCnF

Vacancy, A Showa Throwback

Korakuji, combination hotel/ game center: 3,300 yen/night for ensuite facilities, 1,540 for unlimited use of the bath. Does anyone stay here? Evidently they do..

Scenery from a Recent Cycle Trip

Carp Streamers and a Foot Spa

Tsukioka Spa,the foot bath Carp streamers, or koi nobori, representing the wishes of parents for healthy, strong, and persevering children (for the koi swims upstream to spawn), Children's Day being celebrated on May 5

Jizo Statues

Some nice statues of Buddhist deity Jizo-sama. My particular favorite is the lone Jizo with the sedge hat, or 笠地蔵. For more on the Buddhist deity, see here.

Shogun Cedar and Byodo temple

The 将軍杉 is the largest cryptomeria in Japan. Circumference, 19 meters and some change; height, 40 meters; age, estimated to be 1400 years old. Nearby is a lovely old temple, Byodoji Yakushido (平等寺薬師堂). Location: Iwayasan, Aga Town, Niigata.

Monkeys

I encountered a troop of monkeys during a recent cycling trip into the mountains of northern Niigata.