Lantern Festival

We got a hot tip about a festival in Sagami Ono (one train stop down from us), so we had to check it out. A teething Lottie was ready to go!

The next day (Columbus Day for us) was Sports Day, a Japanese national holiday, so everyone was out and about. Even the road to the park was filled with vendors. This one had pots and mugs that you could paint as well as stations to throw pots.

There is a famous festival in Northern Japan (Amori) where they float lanterns down a river. This was Sagami Ono's attempt to stage a lantern festival. The kids all decorated lanterns, then (we think) they floated them on Saturday night.

Once in the park, we found two bounce houses. It was 200 yen for 5 minutes! We are suckers, so Adam got to go. Here he is, waiting in line with the rest of the kids.

He wouldn't pose for a picture.

Then he really got lucky when Daddy bought him cotton candy.

The little Japanese girl in her kimono was too cute. I had to take a picture.

Lottie enjoyed the festival too, even without the cotton candy. She checked everything out, and wouldn't take a nap until we were off the train, walking home.