Today Josh and I set out to meet our friends for a picnic at Kashihara Shrine. I brought a kabocha pie as well as a few other goodies to share. However, we came upon a surprise festival once we got there! The entire park was filled with tents, food stalls, and performance stages. I had never seen so many people at the shrine before and it was great fun just to walk around and listen to the music. Speaking of music, there was a Japanese band called “Deep South” performing country and bluegrass on the stage. They were great! I managed to meet one of the performers afterwards and I told him I was from Tennessee and that their music was wonderful. Meanwhile, there was a professional wrestling ring going on next to our picnic spot! Apparently while Josh and I went to get ice cream one of the wrestlers grabbed my empty drink can and crushed it against the other wrestler!
On our way back home, I noticed they were decorating the neighborhood shrine with pretty lanterns for a festival happening next week. It looks like we’re off to a great autumn season so far.
I loved listening to the bluegrass music – especially the Japanese banjo player! It looks like you got a taste of home in Japan!