Smith's School of English Soap Box

This article about the Tenjin Matsuri is a bit late, but I had to make sure I had all my photos and news organised properly. This year 2009 Tenjin Matsuri was fantastic, I will always keep this experience with me for the rest of my life.

Well, I went with a few friends and I remember riding the JR Loopline Train over the bridge towards Sakuranomia station. Every bridge that I could see was packed full of people, and the streets were a sea of moving bodies. Everyone was trying to make there way to the many bridges crossing the Okawa River. We were lucky as we managed to get a lovely spot that could see the boats and fireworks. The boat Festival was terrific and the river was full of hundreds of long and narrow boats. Every boat had dancing and singing and beer advertisements. I’m amazed of how much time and effort everyone put in to achieve such a fantastic festival.

The fireworks were what it was all about and being English I love fireworks as we have a festival every year on the 5th of November. We celebrate the attempt and foil of a variety of men trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament (Big Ben). But the Tenjin Matsuri fireworks where ten-fold, the sky lit up with beautiful colours and shapes. I’ve never seen so many fireworks before and the new ways they explode to make the effect better.

The Tenjin Matsuri is held on the Okawa River on 25^th of July every year. It’s a festival to kick start the events that will take place over the summer. Japan is wonderful for summer get ways, every city and town has its own celebrations. Japan is hot in the summer and the only way to enjoy it is to sing, dance and drink.