Another festival season and summer is coming to an end. The dragonflies are out and the days are getting shorter, which means fall will soon be upon us.
But before the fireworks fizzle away and the festival food stalls have packed up for good this year, one area in Japan decided to go out with a bang and surprise festival-goers with superb portable shrine, or mikoshi, recreations of some of Japan’s most popular characters, including one famous red mobile suit from the anime classic Gundam.
Earlier this month Shiobara Onsen, a local hot springs resort located in Tochigi Prefecture, held its annual September festival honoring the ascension of Emperor Taisho to the throne in 1912.
As part of the festival’s tradition, each of the six districts in the area offer up their own decorated portable shrine to be carried through the streets.
One of the floats that especially stood out this year was this red Zaku, originally piloted by Char Aznable in the Mobile Suit Gundam anime series.
▼ Even its eyes light up! Check out that antenna detailing, too.
▼ The paint job on this thing was also top-notch!
After photos of the festival started circulating online, it wasn’t long before Zaku became the fan favorite among Japanese netizens.
“What?! Is this a red Zaku portable shrine?!”
“It looks like a giant Zaku made an appearance at the Tochigi Prefecture Shiobara Onsen Festival on the front of a float. If you compare it to the people caring the float, you can see just how big it was.”“Three times faster than a regular portable shrine!!”
“I looked for someone resembling Char in the group of people carrying it, but unfortunately I couldn’t find one and it was just regular speed lol”
“My brother showed me pictures! Our local hometown’s floats were amazing! Zaku!! Just wow!!!”
Gundam fans weren’t the only ones with something to get excited about. The festival also included floats featuring Hello Kitty and Bob the Minion.
I think it’s safe to say these original portable shrines at the Shiobara Onsen Festival definitely put my little rural town to shame. I can online imagine how cool they were to see in real life!
Hopefully next year the area will bring even more of our favorite characters to life.
Gorgeous gold Gundams are good-God expensive【Photos】
Japanese high school student builds giant, moving Gundam robot in his free time【Video】
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
7 reasons why you should visit Aomori Prefecture
Bear meat noodles?!? Tokyo restaurant adds a new kind of niku soba to its menu【Taste test】
Tokyo’s stylish laundromat cafes are worth a visit even if your clothes are already clean
Pikachu’s chunky original design is back as a plus-sized plushie【Photos】
Japan super budget dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at McDonald’s?
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
Poké Ball cakes here for limited but long time to celebrate Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Leave a Reply