I went to check out the “Ashiya Autumn Festival”, held on October 8, after the danjiri parade〜
↑At the venue, “Omasu Park,” there were orange banners that really felt like autumn〜
↑Since it was right after the “danjiri parade” on Ashiya Hon-dori, an incredible number of people had come!
↑Each food stall had a “last in line” sign out, but the lines were so long it was hard to tell, “Wait, which line is this the end of…?”
↑There were lots of stalls run by local shops and the chamber of commerce, selling baby castella, yakisoba, curry, karaage, hamburgers, and more!
↑There was also a booth promoting local seafood specialties like crab and shrimp from Shinonsen Town in northern Hyogo Prefecture〜
↑At the gazebo, there was a banner for the “Ashiya Rice Festival”!
↑They were pounding mochi and serving zenzai made with freshly pounded mochi〜
↑At the Ashiya City booth, they were handing out designated garbage bags, which officially started being used in October, and “Ashiya Water” was being distributed by Ema Yoshioka, the 2023 Miss Nippon Grand Prix winner!
↑Yoshioka is from Ashiya City and apparently hopes to become an announcer in the future〜
↑I wondered what this line was for, and it turned out to be the line for commemorative photos with Mayor Ryosuke Takashima and the danjiri! (lol)
He had been riding on the danjiri throughout the parade, and once it ended, he was doing photo sessions right up until the autumn festival opening ceremony…! He’s really popular〜
↑When it was time for the opening ceremony, he was properly standing in front of the microphone! He made sure to promote Ashiya Water and the garbage bags〜
↑There was also a “fun raffle,” and it looks like prizes like these were given away〜. In addition to luxury gourmet items like meat, Matsuba crab, and matsutake mushrooms, there were also sweets and meal vouchers from local shops〜
↑At the second venue, “Chaya Park,” there were game stalls for children, cotton candy, and more, and it was lively with families〜!
According to the greeting at the opening ceremony, the “Ashiya Autumn Festival” is apparently one of the “Three Major Ashiya Festivals” (the others are the “Sakura Festival” and the “Ashiya Summer Carnival”). I hope it continues to get even more exciting every year〜!
