We were let out of Japanese class early yesterday so that we could catch the start of the parade at 12pm. Luckily, the start is at the Imperial Palace, which is right across the street from Doshisa University. I walked over with Martin and we met my host mom, who took us to the beginning of the parade.
Before they march, the people mill around the palace grounds in their costumes, so it was a great opportunity to take pictures. Okaasan knew one of the people that was marching, so I was able to meet with him and get a picture taken:
Later in the day, after sunset, was Kurama Matsuri (festival). Every year Kurama Matsuri takes place on Kurama Yama (mountain), north of Kyoto. My friends and I took a packed train up to the small town and were overwhelmed by the crowds when we arrived. It was so bad at one point that you could let all your body weight sag and still you wouldn't fall. The people on either side of me were pressed up so close they could support my weight. It took us almost an hour to make our way down the street. Kids and men in fundoshi (loin cloths) were carrying big pine torches up and down the side of the street.
We ended up leaving pretty early in the night, because the crowed was massive, but supposedly the festival goes on until 2am (?). The real fun was supposed to start around 8pm but we were already so tired we left before then. The train ride back wasn't as bad as the one there, but it was still surprisingly full for the early hour.
When we got back to Kyoto, a group of us went to get Okonomiyaki at a place near Kyoto University. It was tasty:
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