津南祭り2025
Hi there! This is Kota. Today I’m in Tsunan Town, Niigata Prefecture. It’s July 26th, and I’ve heard there’s a festival called the Tsunan Matsuri. Let’s go check it out right away! Heading to the festival venue! Lots of stalls are lined up. Trying out the ball toss game. So hard! That one went well! Three in a row! Got a prize! They’re selling Thai crafts. I once tried learning Thai, but it was too tough and I gave up… The shopkeeper said they import them directly from Thailand. Heading to the main venue. Drinking some ramune soda. Local kids are performing a dance. They’re really good—and most of all, they look like they’re having fun! Ran into a friend. When I said “I’m filming for YouTube,” they ran away! The crowd is growing! Now it’s the little kids’ turn to perform. Their earnest effort really draws you in. Tsunan’s kids are full of energy! It’s evening now. The road is closed off for traditional folk dancing. Way more people are dancing than I expected! Families, sports teams—people from all walks of life are joining in. Can everyone in Tsunan dance like this? Simple yet unforgettable music and dance. My body starts swaying on its own. Tsunan is made up of scattered villages, and the population isn’t very large. But today, people have come from all over to join the festival. I’m amazed at how many people have gathered! It’s getting late. But everyone’s still dancing tonight. I’d love to join the folk dance next year, but going solo feels a bit intimidating… First, I need to find a friend to join me. The folk dance parade has ended. Everyone’s flocking to the food stalls—me included! Or maybe they’re just soaking in the final moments of the festival. Heading off to see the final “thing”… Fireworks! Watching with everyone at the venue was great, but a friend told me about a scenic hilltop, so I’m watching from there. Each burst is simple yet leaves a lingering, cleansing feeling. Speaking of fireworks, Nagaoka’s show is famous in Niigata. I’ve lost the ticket lottery two years in a row… But apparently, you can still enjoy the fireworks just by walking around town. No ticket needed! The fireworks are reaching their climax. People of all ages are dancing and chatting together. This small mountain town becomes one big family today. It’s not flashy, but for the locals, Tsunan Matsuri is a truly special day. Next year, I hope you’ll become part of this family too. Thanks for watching!
2025年津南祭りの様子を撮影しました！
津南祭りHP↓
