Being a Tourist at Minamiuonuma

From being the most clingy person to going solo it has been quite an adventure for me. During the initial days all I could do was be in the same circle of friends and not even go grocery shopping without my friends and I was always contended to be in my comfort zone. However, this weekend has been all about going out of my comfort zone and exploring things on my own. It’s a small thing but I am glad that I did it. 

Since my University is rurally located there is nothing big to experience like in the cities. No cafes, no cute restaurants and the nearest 7/11 requires more than 30 mins of walk so you see there isn’t  much of an option for leisure. Having said this it doesn’t mean that the people here do not socialise they do but in a more local and traditional way. 

Niigata prefecture is known for producing one of the finest rice in Japan so the community here celebrates RICE FESTIVAL after the harvest of the rice to celebrate the strength of their city. Free invitations are sent out to the locals including the students of nearby universities and schools. The local community cooks free meals with rice being the main dish for more than 300 people and share their joy of their harvest. The school kids also help in marketing the rice. A simple idea yet so productive and meaningful engagement.

Back home, paddy cultivation is equally honoured and practised by the farmers especially the western region although it is not really considered cost effective. I have seen people celebrating the transplantation as much as one of the annual rituals whereby the entire community helps each other through labour contributions. 

Just like the fire blessing, ‘Mewang’ of Bumthang the community here Hakkai San celebrates the FIRE WALKING FESTIVAL twice a year in spring and autumn. It is celebrated in front of the Hakkai San Son Shrine which is located at quite a distance from the community to encourage people to walk to receive the blessings. The main ritual starts with an hour long of prayers by the priests surrounding the bonfire. After that, priests walk on the hot charcoal for purification and blessings and while the audience also eagerly lines up to walk on the hot charcoal and most important for purification and to receive the blessings. 

It is definitely a different place yet things seemed too much like home and the past two days had been quite nostalgic while I attended these festivals on my own.