Pop Japan

Spring in Japan is signaled by the blooming of the sakura or the cherry blossoms. And sakura also means big floats covered in pink in the city of Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture.

The Yayoi Festival involves 11 flower floats called the hana yatai. Dating back to the 8th century, the festival is also known as Gota Matsuri or the Festival of Disputes. Being said, the festival is said to unify the heads of the towns, and is shown in the name card exchange practice during the festival. The floats, toghet with the heads of each participating town, pay respects and make a tour around the Futarasan Shrine in Nikko.

Photo by Hetarllen Mumriken. Licensed under Creative Commons. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)

Tags: japan, spring in japan, sakura, cherry blossoms, nikko, tochigi, yayoi festival, hana yataii, gota matsuri, festival of disputes, futarasan shrine