Note: The opinions and views expressed in this user report are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of japan-guide.com.
May 22, 2019 - Matsue Horanenya - Chunichisai ’†“úÕ
Free shuttle bus service for the festivities
After a wonderful day trip to the Oki Islands, it's time to continue with the Horaenya festivities with its second day called Chunichisai.
The Chunichisai is held at the Adakaya Shrine located in the suburbs between Higashi-Matsue and Iya JR stations. Since the location of the festival was too far away to reach by foot, the festival organizers were gracious to provide a free shuttle bus service from Iya station to the bus depot close to Adakaya Shrine.
There was supposed to be a Kaidenma Boat performance in the river near the shrine at 10 in the morning, but since I had already seen the main event last Saturday, I decided to take my time and go to the Adakaya Shrine at 11am instead just to see the main attraction of the day. This is the day when the Kaidenma boats are brought on land and pulled all the way to the Adakaya Shrine in a parade.
As expected, the parade was lavish and colorful and it was a good time to get close-up shots of the kabuki warriors and female dancers and their makeup. More photos and videos can be found in my Flickr album at https://www.flickr.com/photos/124829205@N08/albums/72157708934561646
Huge turnout at the festival
Trying to get a clear shot of the Kaidenma with my festival camera
Makata Kaidenma boat parked on the road
Daisen Okowa - Rice stewed with gingko nuts, mushrooms and chicken
Arrival of children participating in the parade
Oumizaki Kaidenma from afar
Distribution of free sake
Arrival of Oumizaki Kaidenma
Oumizaki female dancer reaching out to the sky
Fukutomi Kaidenma from afar
Dynamic poses of Fukutomi warrior and female dancer
Arrival of Oi parade troupe
Bitten and blessed by a lion
Oi warrior and a special view from the window
Oi female dancer
Arrival of Yada Kaidenma parade
Yada warrior
Yada percussionists and female dancer
Yada female dancer close-up
Momotaro-inspired warrior of the Makata Kaidenma
Waraiko, smiling children who are not smiling
Seeing off the Makata Kaidenma
Following the herd
Yada Kaidenma
Yada Kaidenma entering Adakaya Shrine
Arrival of Makata Kaidenma
Makata Kaidenma entering Adakaya Shrine
I headed back to Matsue town and spent a leisurely evening to rest from the trip. The good weather from Nishinoshima continued and it was a good opportunity to view the sunset at Lake Shinji.
This time, I stayed in a different backpackers hostel called Kitatono Guesthouse, located near the castle. Compared to the previous hostel, Matsue Guesthouse, that I stayed before, the staff at Kitatono was friendlier and I made new friends there.
I borrowed a bike from the hostel and cycled all the way to the shore of Lake Shinji between the Jizo statue and an island called Yomegashima. This is a popular spot to view the sunset and once I arrived there were already a throng of photographers, armed with DSLRs and top-of-the-line smartphones to capture that beautiful shot of Lake Shinji at dusk.
