a little samba and a little yosakoi

joined a bunch of middle aged pervs with telescopic lens cameras in Asakusa to catch the Samba festival.




besides the scantily clad women, there were bands:



it was a very lively parade:





it's the pirate game!


and lots of dancing:





the "viewers" take a break from all of the "documentation":




Samba royalty:




lady with pasties was verrrry popular with the boys:











all in all, it was just waaaaaaay too crowded to enjoy myself. i couldn't get in a comfortable position to take good pictures (had a dude's camera bag in my side the entire time).

cut out after a couple hours to head over to Harajuku to have coffee with the gay husband. we chilled out for a while and caught a bit of the yosakoi dancing being held on the stage in front of Meiji shrine:


it was getting a bit late and dark in the afternoon which screwed with my exposure a bit. no, didn't fix if before posting these. sorry!






very lively and fun!

The symbol of the city

realized in 6 years i've never been to Tokyo tower. also realized it was rather close to my library and since i was going there to check out books anyway, i took a little detour and went for a walk up the hill:


here's the view from the crotch:


there were heaps of people there and this weird penis mascot thing:


and a trained monkey show:



and took a peaceful walk through shiba park

Azabu Juban Summer Festival (of FOOD)

met up with my friend nani for a late birthday celebration (hers, not mine), so we started out with a very nice late lunch at Tokyo Midtown.


we made our way to Azabu Juban where the yearly festival draws the masses together for food . . . and food. i don't actually know what the purpose of the festival is or what its supposed to be celebrating . . .

but there were TONS of food stalls. here is a small sampling of what was in store:

grilled corn


natto manjyu


chilled veggies


roasting fish


ginourmous croquettes


kiritampo


sooooooooo many people. the crows were just shoving their way slowly along like a giant congested artery:


outrageously huge cucumber


did i mention the crowds?


minced squid patties


giant takoyaki


bbq squid


calamari and fried fish


minced shrimp wrapped in a piece of toast, skewered and deep fried:


thick slabs of bacon skewered yakitori style:


i DID mention the crowds, yes?


giant plates of pasta


grilled octopus


my favorite guy of the day: weiner man


jaga-bata: steamed/baked potato with butter and sauces


phallic chocolate dipped bananas with a cookie koala bear tip:


deep fried monja (not sure how that one worked . . .)


in terms of non food entertainment, pro wrestler The Destroyer was there:



scooping for fish and mini turtles:


pervs enjoyed the booty shaking cheerleaders:


did i mention the sea of people as far the eye could see?


we capped off the night with the last water and laser light show back at Tokyo Midtown. like fireworks but not.