The Sapporo Temple Festival happens on the same three days each year and luckily for us, our first full day in Sapporo is the last day of the festival. We got out just before noon and walked about a bit. On our way to lunch, we passed the streets where all of the parade "floats" were being readied. We walked along both blocks and by the time we got to the front they parade started. Each shrine was proceeded by a drummer, flutists and then a cadre of rope pullers. The rope pullers were ceremonial as all the floats seemed to have some vehicle pulling it. One had an antique Porsche diesel tractor pulling it along.
So many traditional outfits
Ropes to pull with
A flag bearer
All decked out
Spear wielding warrior
Very elaborate with a shade in the front, seating for nine and then the main temple area
Gold is the theme
Loved the look of this old tractor
My other tractor is a Porsche
Decked out with flowers
Golden fish
Orange fish
Salmon with a hungry bear in the back
The shrines stretch out off in the distance
Geisha!
Very lovely
Many of the shrines had Geisha in the front
A serene gaze
Hurrying to get to the shrine on time
Ladies in blue
Holding up the roof
A band in the front
Rolling thunder
Naval scenes
A phoenix on the front
A couple of rickshaws to start the parage
Lined up and ready to launch
Three or four more stretching out behind
Leading the pack
Beating the drum
Loving these pants
The "man" on top would rise up and then lower
A crow flew over to see what the fuss was all about
Playing the drums
The band is all here
This shrine has been sponsored by the following...
Purple kimono
Golden!
Another flag bearer
Leading the way
A set of drummers
Nicely decorated
The man in white
This drum is carried on the shoulders
Another warrior on top
Dancing with fans
They look like they are having fun
Here comes red
Lots of flowers
Only one of the three is real
More drumming
Keeping the beat
Howdy
Stripes!
The fish themed shrine
