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】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Cup Noodle mystery meat instant rice returns to Japanese stores after a seven-year absence
YouTube goes crazy for “Bubbly” high school girls’ amazing retro ’80s dance routine 【Video】
Foreigner attempts to fend off six Japanese police officers at Tokyo Starbucks 【Video】
【Rocket Food】 One Piece Chicken! Cook for Monkey D. Luffy at Home Tonight with this Simple Recipe
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Prominent boob-centric manga artist shocks fans by revealing she’s a beautiful buxom woman
We try Tapioca Beer, the drink that everyone’s raving about in Japan right now
Starbucks Japan’s new S’mores Frappuccino has something extra, but do we want to drink some more?
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
Leave a Reply