We wanted to go to some park after church so we decided to walk from the church to Yamashita Park. There were a lot of stopovers along Motomachi (including a store for kids/babies that sells fashionable and affordable clothes – a shop to take note of and to go to when it’s sale season. Yes, we just window shopped haha. I guess most moms wait for sale season?). When we finally reached Yamashita Park, we were surprised of the crowd and the booths. And people wearing their national costumes. It was only then that we learned about the World Fiesta Yokohama, an event showcasing the culture of countries around the world. There were local foods (we just salivated at the aroma. We couldn’t buy because the queue in all booths were long!!), ethnic music, and dance performances (we didn’t hang around the stage so we couldn’t see the dances though we did hear the music), as well as folk crafts (very interesting!).
This little girl was making beautiful music from this wooden instrument (I couldn’t catch the name!) so much so that the shop owner decided to accompany her. Beautiful music.
Our loot from this Balinese shop – den den daiko. It’s japanese-y yes but the art is definitely not.
Yui was sleeping when we bought this. So when we gave her this after she woke up, she just wouldn’t part with it and enjoyed hearing the sound she’s creating.
And so she was creating music while she stared at the sea, looked at the birds and people/dog-watched.
It was so hot (very unusual for mid October!) but we weren’t able to bring her hat (and no sunblock too! oh dear) so we used her Peter Rabbit towel to protect her from the heat. It reminded us of Red Riding Hood and milk maids haha!
Food food!
For Czech Republic, it was dolls of course. Wanted to buy this caterpillar wooden toy but it was just so expensive at 2500yen!
There were so many countries around, from Asia to Europe, from Ecuador to Nepal to Peru to USA to Egypt. But we didn’t see a Philippine booth. Probably because the Filipino community just recently held Barrio Fiesta also in Yamashita park.
We stayed in the quieter part of the park for a while, sitting on the bench, the dad sleeping, the mom and baby people/sea/bird/dog-watching. Stayed there until Yui cried out of boredom and so we have to go.
On we walked through Nihon Odori and chanced upon a band playing jazz music. The baby was delighted, the mom and dad agreeing saxophone is just so sexy.
We also saw some Yokohama mascots walking about and took the chance to have some photos with them. We’re not sure if the baby liked them haha.
Oh. One really remarkable thing. As it was a festival, of course it was held mostly on the street and the park. Away from malls, away from institutions. When we came by the Yokohama Stadium, one of the booths that was set up was one dedicated for nursing moms and for changing diapers. Wow, so typically Japanese, very thoughtful.
We had quite a walk, from 12 to 6. So now all three are hanging their feet up, the baby copying the dad and mom.
Thankful for family days and festivals! π
