Good Smell, Good Curry

 
A Japanese curry house outside the train station near Yokota AB. Does good curry have good smell? Or does a good smell mean the curry is good? I went in and just to smell the curry but did not know how to explain that I did not want curry only to see what the smell was like. This did not translate well to my Japanse friends.
MSV-san 

The Nebuta drag queens

 
I'm not exactly sure if these guys got the memo on what the proper atire was at the Nebuta parade but the painted face and Tutu with a duck head probably was just not right. Thankfully this guy did not come over and shake Brock's hand.
 
Parade crasher or traditional Nebuta parade goer?...you be the judge.
 
Goldie Lockes was looking for the three bears.
 
This guy was interesting with a big floppy fish and his fisherman get up. He kind of reminded me of a rodeo clown that was being chased by a big shark instead of a bull. 

Local Kids at Nebuta

 
There were kids that played cymbols
 
There were kids who sat with us and cheered on the parade
 
There were kids who might have had their first march in the parade
 
There was one flight of kids with large fans. 

The Ginormous Japanese Spider Mamma

 
Well, we came home to see that there is a new Vaughn member in the family. Mike actually caught the same spider when it took a ride on MBs car 3 weeks ago. He put it in our garden and now its built a spiderman sized web. The spider is so big I could see her blink its eyes when the camera was flashing. Also, it was very interesting to watch as it hung out in the middle and snacked on a bug.
 
Something has changed as there are lots more spiders than we remember from last summer, MB says. Mike almost rant into a large web coming out of the restaraunt at the golf course. Maybe the weather is just right for large spiders. We will have to watch this one and see if she is growing any bigger. I figure when she gets to the size if my hand it will be time to leave.
 
If anyone can name what kind of Japanese spider this is then I will gladly box it up and send it to you as a pet. Its almost big enough to put a fishing line leash on and take on a walk. 

The Dark Side Light Saber

 
Is Japan on the dark side of the force? The proof is in their red Imperial star wars light saber. 

Nebuta Kids

 
We went to the Nebuta parade in Aomori City and were joined with the Jonathon & Jacob Mansberger and Ben & Alexandra Blake
 
Jonathon ready for the parade to start
 
Brock giving the quirky Japanese sign for smiley face
 
Unknown boy fanning Jacob 

The Commander

 
An oldie but a goodie 

Misc creature flaots

 
There is the ever popular bull with tiger head
 
Then you cant forget the lady with 8 arms
 
And always remember the guy with the coyote head or La Chupacabra
 
Last but not least there is the giant spider 

Horses

There were many horses too.
 
 
  

Kids at the parade

 
Each float had kids pulling the floats along on both sides and usually started out with the younger ones in front going older to back. They also had flute players playing the same tune over and over to the beat of drums that were played on the floats.
 
The parade goers would sing the song over and over. It sounded like Yada yada yada ya.
 
  

Who let the monkey's out

 
This parade boasts a 280 year history and is one of Japans biggest. There were 3 shrines called Mikoshi carying the 3 dieties. Also, there were over 20 wheeled floats depicting kabuki scenes and legends.
 
 
  

Guess that Japanese City Manhole cover

 
If you said Hachinohe then you are correct. 

Hachinohe 3 Shrines Grand Festival (Sansha Taisai)

 
Pre Parade liquid hydration
 
Post Parade sugar high
 
Some old drunk guy that would not leave us alone.
 
Bad or Good hair day...you be the judge?