十日町雪まつり Tokamachi Snow Festival

Pretty snow lanterns in the woods on the walk to the festival venue

Big snow sculpture of hands cupping a baby

This year's stage is a replica of some famous cathedral in the Italian town, Como, which is Tokamachi's sister city.

There were 3 rather famous singers (2 enka and 1 oldish pop singer), Albirex cheerleaders' performance, and kimono fashion show (Tokamachi is famous for kimono and soba). Enka is the Japanese version of the Fei Yu Qing genre of songs. You can have a listen to a short snippet of it here if you want...it's boring though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MPNKHjzVJU

Finale

Takeshi and I with the cute Nenjo-chan (?) mascot with a snowflake head

Enjoyed the traditional tea ceremony in a snow garden. The tea is made in this pavillion and then served to us by ladies and little girls wearing kimonos.

Kyoko and I going down the snow slide in a massive rubber tyre