Dragon Boats

Thursday, May 5th was the culmination of one of the most important holiday times in Japan – it’s Kodomo no hi or Children’s day. The whole week has been a big celebration for the Japanese called Golden Week. Golden week is a combination of four holidays celebrated within seven days which consequently leads to one big vacation for all of Japan.

April 29 was Showa no hi which celebrated the birthday of the former Emperor Showa (he died in 1989). May 3rd was Kenpo kinenbi or Constitution Day which was when the constitution was adopted in 1947. May 4th was Midori no hi or Greenery Day. They dedicate this day to the environment and nature. Finally, May 5th, as I said, is Kodomo no hi or Children’s Day. Really, it’s boy’s day since the girls already had a day dedicated to them back in March. This is the day families pray for the health and future success of their sons and hang up the colorful, playful “carp flags” or Koinobori. I love the displays over rivers of the colorful kites, but I’m without photos this year since I forgot to put the memory card back in my camera! Camera + empty memory card slot = sad Louise.


But the other fun, festive thing going on this week were the big Dragon Boat races down in Naha. Emmy and I went to see these last year with Kelly and David, but this year Steve got the morning off so he was able to go too! Unfortunately, the rainy season has started early this year so the races were a little soggy.

Can you see the rain?

So after watching two or three heats (the whole day lasts for 6 hours!), we hit the midway and food tents and then headed home.

I love this picture!  Doesn't Stevie's face say it all?

Okinawa has great festival food like okinomayaki – a combination of cabbage, ham, batter, onions, fish flakes and special sauce – sounds weird, but really good.

And these nummy things which were a combination of okinomayaki and yakisoba (which are noodles and fixings in sauce).

But, of course, what would a carnival be without a huge bag of cotton candy???