Long before the shallow coastal area in Inage was reclaimed to look like how it is today, it used to be a resort for beach activities and shellfish gathering; it was a town that relied on agriculture and fishing as its main source of income. The memories from the sea still remain up to this day and they are still visible around the town today. During the new moon, a fishing game in the sea using lanterns as the source of lights was introduced and it was known as "Yotoboshi fishing" (夜灯漁). It was the sights of the illuminating lights from the beach that used to be a seasonal tradition back then, that a unique festival was born five years ago.
"Inage Akari Matsuri - Yotoboshi" (稲毛あかり祭 - 夜灯), or "Inage Lights Festival - Night Lights" is held annually using the fishing game as a background motive, to reproduce the scene of the lanterns from the sea along the streets in the town, and to further nurture the relationship of the people living in this community.
"Inage Akari Matsuri - Yotoboshi" (稲毛あかり祭 - 夜灯), or "Inage Lights Festival - Night Lights" is held annually using the fishing game as a background motive, to reproduce the scene of the lanterns from the sea along the streets in the town, and to further nurture the relationship of the people living in this community.
Just like any other festivals in Japan, it is held for two nights - Zenyasai (前夜祭) or "festival eve", and Honmatsuri (本祭り) or the "main festival" over the weekends along the main street of Sengen-dori (浅間通り) and Inage Park (稲毛公園), as well as around Inage Sengen Shrine (稲毛浅間神社). From where I live currently, all those areas are accessible within five minutes on foot. Obviously, I wouldn't wanna miss out and join the fun with the local people at this festival.
This is my second main festival I have attended in this area since I moved to Inage early this year. The first one was the Inage Sengen Shrine Festival in July.

This is the Sengen-dori (浅間通り), where hundreds of lanterns made of papers are arranged along the street.

There were huge lanterns as tall as 1.8 meters and they were hand-made by the shopkeepers.

The railway track is just a few steps down this street.
This is my second main festival I have attended in this area since I moved to Inage early this year. The first one was the Inage Sengen Shrine Festival in July.
This is the Sengen-dori (浅間通り), where hundreds of lanterns made of papers are arranged along the street.
There were huge lanterns as tall as 1.8 meters and they were hand-made by the shopkeepers.
The railway track is just a few steps down this street.
Sengen-dori goes pass the Keisei Inage station and it is also one of the location where the lanterns are placed. These lanterns are individually made by the kids from the local kindergartens. These lanterns, placed along the station platform, would welcome and bid farewell to people who come to Inage.
Besides that, there are also old photographs hung on the wall at the train station, to reminisce the town in the olden days.

The kids are free to draw whatever they want, and it was a pleasure to see many kinds of interesting drawings on each of the lanterns.

There were workshops held at their schools since early September to get the kids to draw these lanterns.
The "Akari Hiroba" (あかり広場) or the "Lights Square" is the location where the main events of the festival is held. It is just a few steps from the main street of Sengen-dori. Here is where a stage is set up for various kinds of performances - band, traditional dance, karaoke, choir groups, etc. Along the small street that leads to the main stage, there were lanterns hanging along the lamp posts, bearing the names of the sponsors for this festival. Although all these hanging lanterns were hand-made as there was no budget for it, it still created a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere in an autumn night.
Any festivals in Japan will never be complete without the food stalls. At Akari Hiroba, there are several stalls selling local food. The food are nothing special, just the normal ones like takoyaki, yakisoba, yakitori, taiyaki, karaage, and ramen.

Everyone can write down their wishes on the paper cups and place it on the shelves. Here, the wishes were for good health and to pass exams with flying colours.

Besides food, there were stalls for kids to play some games too. Anyone has any idea what's the name of the two characters on top of Pikachu?

This guy was not bad and the crowd certainly loved it a lot. They named their band "Inage Old Man Band and Dancers" (稲毛オヤジバンド & ダンサース) haha!

A Spanish dance group - Bonitaz (ボニータス) who gave a flamenco performance.

Though they are not that young anymore, their performances was top notch.

The group leader giving a few words to the crowd after completing their dances.

This Chinese restaurant took the opportunity to set up a stall outside their restaurant as well.

Rows of lanterns made of bamboo leading to the Nihonmatsu-benzaiten (二本松弁財天), a small shrine for the God of Wealth.
The kids are free to draw whatever they want, and it was a pleasure to see many kinds of interesting drawings on each of the lanterns.
There were workshops held at their schools since early September to get the kids to draw these lanterns.
The "Akari Hiroba" (あかり広場) or the "Lights Square" is the location where the main events of the festival is held. It is just a few steps from the main street of Sengen-dori. Here is where a stage is set up for various kinds of performances - band, traditional dance, karaoke, choir groups, etc. Along the small street that leads to the main stage, there were lanterns hanging along the lamp posts, bearing the names of the sponsors for this festival. Although all these hanging lanterns were hand-made as there was no budget for it, it still created a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere in an autumn night.
Any festivals in Japan will never be complete without the food stalls. At Akari Hiroba, there are several stalls selling local food. The food are nothing special, just the normal ones like takoyaki, yakisoba, yakitori, taiyaki, karaage, and ramen.
Everyone can write down their wishes on the paper cups and place it on the shelves. Here, the wishes were for good health and to pass exams with flying colours.
Besides food, there were stalls for kids to play some games too. Anyone has any idea what's the name of the two characters on top of Pikachu?
This guy was not bad and the crowd certainly loved it a lot. They named their band "Inage Old Man Band and Dancers" (稲毛オヤジバンド & ダンサース) haha!
A Spanish dance group - Bonitaz (ボニータス) who gave a flamenco performance.
Though they are not that young anymore, their performances was top notch.
The group leader giving a few words to the crowd after completing their dances.
This Chinese restaurant took the opportunity to set up a stall outside their restaurant as well.
Rows of lanterns made of bamboo leading to the Nihonmatsu-benzaiten (二本松弁財天), a small shrine for the God of Wealth.
Another main spot of this festival was the Inage Sengen Shrine, which is just about ten-minute walk from the main stage. In conjunction of Inage Akari Matsuri, there was a special kagura performance called "Jyuniza-kagura" (十二座神楽) or "12 Zodiac Kagura" on the Kagura stage. It is performed five times a year.
This kagura was first introduced to the local people more than 500 years ago. Originated from Kyushu, it was brought to this area in 1504 and was in listed as one of Chiba prefecture's cultural heritage in 1962.

The main gate to the shrine. It was believed that during the olden days, worshipers sitting in boats would go pass this gate to visit the shrine.

The shrine is on the top of a hill, so one has to walk up the slope before reaching the main shrine.
It was not my first time watching the kagura performance, so I just stayed there for a while before there were other interesting events going on along the Sengen-dori and the main stage. After spending some good short time there, I left the shrine and returned to the main area.
Besides the areas I visited, there were still a few places where the illuminations were held, including Inage Community Centre (稲毛公民館) and Inage Park (稲毛公園). Unfortunately, I missed out on those places. I will make it a point to visit those places next year.

In total, there were approximately 6,000 paper lanterns and another 500 lanterns were made of bamboos that decorated the area at this festival.

Despite having to perform in a limited space along the narrow street, it didn't stop the team from giving an energetic performance in front of the crowd.
The festival ended around eight in the evening. It started to drizzle towards the end of the event, but fortunately for everyone, the rain wasn't heavy and the event ended without any major problems. In all, it was a wonderful and interesting festival that I enjoyed it a lot. Looking forward to it again in one year's time!
But for Yotoboshi-ane-san, I guess she has to prepare an umbrella for herself next time.
I am starting to fall in love with Inage.
This kagura was first introduced to the local people more than 500 years ago. Originated from Kyushu, it was brought to this area in 1504 and was in listed as one of Chiba prefecture's cultural heritage in 1962.
The main gate to the shrine. It was believed that during the olden days, worshipers sitting in boats would go pass this gate to visit the shrine.
The shrine is on the top of a hill, so one has to walk up the slope before reaching the main shrine.
Kagura performance on the stage.
It was not my first time watching the kagura performance, so I just stayed there for a while before there were other interesting events going on along the Sengen-dori and the main stage. After spending some good short time there, I left the shrine and returned to the main area.
Besides the areas I visited, there were still a few places where the illuminations were held, including Inage Community Centre (稲毛公民館) and Inage Park (稲毛公園). Unfortunately, I missed out on those places. I will make it a point to visit those places next year.
In total, there were approximately 6,000 paper lanterns and another 500 lanterns were made of bamboos that decorated the area at this festival.
Despite having to perform in a limited space along the narrow street, it didn't stop the team from giving an energetic performance in front of the crowd.
The festival ended around eight in the evening. It started to drizzle towards the end of the event, but fortunately for everyone, the rain wasn't heavy and the event ended without any major problems. In all, it was a wonderful and interesting festival that I enjoyed it a lot. Looking forward to it again in one year's time!
But for Yotoboshi-ane-san, I guess she has to prepare an umbrella for herself next time.
I am starting to fall in love with Inage.