random happy mob of psychos

On the way to get some cash at the bank downtown, I ran into one of the wildest and most frenzied festivals I've ever seen here, just randomly in the middle of town.

Apparently it's a huge festival that's been on for a few days, and I didn't know about it. I knew there was something going on but I thought it was just some rice blessing party.

I only caught the closing ceremony, but I have never seen a group of Japanese people go so completely insane in a primal, chaotic release of psychotic energy.

There were thousands of people crammed into the street, and groups with matching festival attire and floats and funny pom-pom shaking things. There was dancing and screaming and music.

After a few speeches by apparently very revered officials, the MC would count down from 10 and the entire parade of thousands would go monkey bonkers, throwing each other in the air, dancing in circles, raising their arms and shouting. Spectators adored the spectacle and got into the spirit. It was one of the coolest things ever.

In the speeches there was a lot of talk about the earthquake and how it's been almost a year, so it's time for Tokamachi to be healed and become happy and genki now. People responded with cheers and smiles, as though they were relieved that they were finally allowed to shake off the depression and burden that the quake had brought the area.

Maybe it's cuz I was so out of it from not sleeping right, but on the way home, I drove into a wall. Oops! I guess this whole left side of the road thing hasn't been figured out yet.