The Mihara Shinmei-ichi Daruma Festival, in Hiroshima, is one of the largest festivals in Japan celebrating the tradition of the Daruma. It has to do with Shinto mythology of sorts. I won't explain too deeply but people basically buy these brightly colored dolls and make wishes or goals. Once they accomplish one goal or wish they paint one eye in. They then make a second eye for the other. They will bring their doll to the festival to burn it and then buy a new one.
I am fortunate enough to have a Japanese friend who lives in Hiroshima. I asked him to share some photos with me of the festival. I hope you enjoy these snapshots of Mihara.
I will put some caption above the photos as he has explained to me.
This is the Mihara Harbor Port.
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Mihara Castle
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Gyro Food Stall/ Castella Food Stall / Toppogi Korean Food Stall
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Super Ball Sukui
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Ball Ire (I'm told if you get three in a row or more you get a good prize!! )
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Some sort of Hybrid Orange Fruit Tree
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Weird Cherry Apple Tree ( If you know what it is tell me please)
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Mountain Grape Tree
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Taiyaki Shop
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Check out the crowd! Candy Apple Stall/ Doraemon Baby Custard
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50/50 Game An Pan Man
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Gifts to the God
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Haunted House
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Maze House
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Air Cork Gun Game
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Fortune Papers by Birthdate
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My friend's Fortune ^__^
I hope you enjoyed all the photos and please feel free to leave a comment or if you have any questions please feel free to ask and I'll answer them to my best ability.
Permission to publish photos on my blog was granted by my Japanese friend. I'll respect his name privacy and not add it here, thanks!!