Yesterday, I had the chance to go to Teno area (Aso city) to see one of my favorite festival of the year, Onda festival. If you don’t know Teno, it is a very nice place north of Aso with a famous water source, ancient tombs, and Kokuzo Shrine.
One of the particularity of Onda festival is that it is held at two different shrines, two days apart. Yesterday it was held at Kokuzo Shrine and tomorrow it will be held at Aso Shrine. If the pictures on this blog entry aren’t enough, I highly recommend you to go to Aso Shrine tomorrow.
A line of women dressed in white, wearing this huge wood box containing the meal for the deities on the top of their head and all of that surrounded by the beautiful nature in Aso. This is what you’re going to enjoy during this festival.
The procession started around 11 am from Kokuzo Shrine. It was impressive to see so much photographer following in an area that is usually very quiet. I was able to follow them myself to the sacred ground where the mikoshi (a portable shrine) will stay for a couple hours.
It is only around 2pm that the procession came back towards Kokuzo shrine. It was so hot now that the rainy season is finally over. There was less photographers than in the morning, but there was still many people around. If you intend to go to Aso Shrine tomorrow, do not forget to wear a hat and to hydrate yourself.
Franck.
