Momochi Matsuri

Asawa and I finally got ourselves to back to jogging after a long break that lasted more than a month.  Jogging in Fukuoka is particularly wonderful, especially our part of town.  One one side, there is a large jogging path that runs across a lake, and on the other, there is a jogging path along the beach.  It felt good to finally burn some fat one beautiful morning as we jogged towards the beach.   However, barely 10 minutes into our run, we ran into a bazaar right at the foot of Fukuoka Tower.  There were stalls selling all sorts of things, and most of them were foodstuff.  In Japan, selling food is never complete without the taste test.  So Asawa and I saw the free food, looked each other in the eye and promptly postponed our jogging routine yet again.  It was breakfast time.

Its the RKB Radio Matsuri!

The Entrance to the Matsuri

Freshly brewed Tea samples for Everyone!

The Sake Booth.  We didn’t see them handing out sample shots, unfortunately.  It would have been a good breakfast drink.

Crowded Matsuri

They were auctioning autographed paraphernalia.  This is a soccer ball signed by Avispa, the Fukuoka football team in the J-League.  They would have probably fetched a higher price if the team was actually winning.

Kaki (Japanese Persimon) being handed out.

A T-shirt signed by Fukuoka Rizing, the local basketball team.

The 70′s and Above Crowd came out in Full Force.

But there was enough fun even for the young ones.

Yes, even the ones with four legs.

￥２００ for a bag of Mikan (Oranges)

You can also purchase something more permanent.

The Mentaiko Booth in full costume effect.  Mentaiko is marinated roe of pollock which Fukuoka is famous for.  It deserves a post on itself so watch out for it!

Mentaiko for everyone!

This is the Niigata Prefecture Booth.  Hit Niigata on the Map (that Red blot) and win a trip to Niigata…I think.

I’m not sure what she was selling.

Neither was I sure of what she was selling, but I think its a facial cleanser.

Ah, finally, something familiar.  Green Tea!  Hito Fukuro Onegaishimasu!

He was giving balloons to kids.  He gamely posed for me, but did not gamely give me a balloon!