Beer Drinking Season

August has arrived together with a steady increase in temperature. It reached 36 today. The temperature rarely drops below 29 at night as well. Far too hot to do much in the way of work and that's probably the reason for the many Matsuri or festivals that take place at this time of the year. Whether a huge firework display or a celebration at a local temple or shrine, its an excuse to drink and eat loads and basically have a good time. Small stalls sell all manner of snack foods, like barbecued meat and takoyaki (octopus), which are washed down with loads of chilled beer. For the kids there are game stalls where various prizes can be won, even live goldfish.


The August heat also brings out young girls in yugata (summer kimono) which always brightens up a dull day.