I took these photos on the first day of the big Kitazawa Hachiman Shrine festival a few weeks ago. Usually the kids have their own little omikoshi procession before the adult’s, but in this festival the kids omikoshi went out together with the adult’s, the little one before the big one. These kids even had matching hasten, traditional half coats that used to be worn by all city people, traders, public officials and crafts people all over Japan. This is the perfect way to build community and foster traditions, having the kids taking part and taking responsibility for their own, right next to the adults.
The shrine itself is a little bit out of the way but the area around Shimokitazawa station is considered by many to be one of the hippest areas of Tokyo. Well worth a visit even for the casual tourist coming to Tokyo!
