Shimokitazawa Awaodori 2014

There are a few things I like about Summer in Tokyo. Kakigori, fireworks, frozen beer, air conditioned trains, hiyashi chuka, watermelon, garigari kun, green goya walls, cicadas and street festivals.

Here are a few photos from last night's Shimokitazawa Awaodori festival, a yearly Summer festival dance event. Last night was surprisingly cool with the typhoon on approach making the experience even more enjoyable. It's always such a fun event with the best atmosphere. People drinking street beers from plastic cups, streets filled with smoky yakitori stands, colourful fans moving in time with the beat...We even saw a dog in a kimono! Oh, Japan.

Next year I really want to join one of the dance groups.

"Oh Yatta Yatta, oh yatta yatta!" *I know that's not what they are saying, but it certainly sounds like it.











Yakitori and nama beer. LOVE!









I stood and chatted to the owner of this soba shop for quite some time. This restaurant has been going for more than 50 years, and the current owner inherited it from his father. Gosh, I really want to work here 'Ramen Girl' style.



Lawsons out in full swing!



Love this legendary man! He has had this toy shop on Ichibangai for 52 years. It used to be the go-to toy shop for local children, but now he only opens through the evening. On my last visit there he pulled out folders of press clippings featuring his incredible shop. What a dude!



I feel so incredibly lucky to have seen this.





The Shimokitazawa Awaodori is on again tonight if the typhoon holds off. If you're in the Shimokita area, you may like to check it out.

Here is a little video I took last night.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo