Beauty at the Kin Town Matsuri 2015

Yukata Contest

 

 

There were 9 contestants in this yukata (summer kimono) contest.

Some folks go to the festival, just to  see this event and, cheer on their favorite gal.

 It isn't supposed to be a beauty contest so, I won't tell you which beauty won.

At festivals, I try to capture a little bit of all the activities.

These inflated thingamajigs seemed to be the most popular activities for kids.

It reminded me of Disneyland, seeing the long lines of children, waiting to get in to them.

The young taiko drummers put on the most excellent show.

They got the crowd rocking and, earth shaking with their energetic drumbeats. 

The weather was beautiful, too, considering a typhoon just passed the island the day before.

Fashion shows, festival foods, fun and games for  kids; they're all great.

The fireworks (hanabi) is what, I go to festivals to see.

Maybe it's true, beauty is in the eye of the beholder !

The Japanese Tip Envelope: An Insider's Tips (Photo)

I THOUGHT THERE WAS NO TIPPING IN JAPAN !

Here's an insider's tip that took me awhile to cook-up for you.  One big exception to the "No Tipping in Japan Rule" would be if you stay at a high class place called a Ryokan. We don't have any such things in Okinawa, to the best of my knowledge.  And, if somebody built one, you wouldn't have to worry about me staying in it.

The best way to describe a Ryokan would be to call it a traditional Japanese Inn; sort of a five star bed and breakfast.  For several hundred dollars, maybe over a thousand nowadays, you can spend the night wearing a cotton kimono, get served green tea and have your meals delivered to your room by a maid dressed in a summer kimono (Yukata).

They have these places in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and out in the countryside, as well.  They are really 1st class operations.  You get treated like royalty, can wander around wearing a yukata, sip green tea and even hop into a community bathtub, from what I hear.  But, be prepared to pay for it.

The envelope in the photo above is an example of what you would use to give a tip at a Ryokan.  You are expected to give a tip.  Nice crispy, folded Yen notes are what you'd place in the envelope, no coins.

That Ryokan tip envelope, I guess I'll save, just in case somebody calls me someday to stay at their place so I can give them a  Mad Mike's Review.  I wonder if dogs are allowed ?


REFERENCES:

STAYING AT A RYOKAN

TRADITIONAL JAPANESE INN


RELATED POST: TIPPING IN JAPAN