March Madness in Japan! - Japanese Doll and Spring Festival

If you're wondering if March Madness happens in Japan, it does!  But just in a different way. :)  There are many different festivals and events unique to Japan....and some of them take place in March.
On March 3rd, families who have daughters celebrate The Doll's Festival.  At this time, they pray for the girls' growth and happiness.  In many houses, they will set up a beautiful display of dolls....many of which they make themselves.
The dolls are meant to take on any suffering, pain or sickness that the daughters might have.
Families will usually start to display the dolls in February and will then take them down immediately after the festival.  Superstition says that leaving the dolls up too long afterwards will result in a late marriage for their daughter.  So you can almost bet that here in Japan, ALL of the dolls are take down on March 4th...without a doubt. :)

Miki's mom and I in front of their doll display :)

The doll display that Miki's mom made  :)

My two new friends :)

March 9th is Japan's annual Spring Festival.  And let me just say....this thing was awesome! To sum it up, the Japanese dress up in some pretty funky outfits and parade down the streets singing, chanting, and smashing their sticks together to welcome spring.  I'm not gonna lie, it's the rowdiest I've ever seen the Japanese get...but that might be in part due to the fact that I saw one guy slam half a bottle of wine in between chants.  :)

 I somehow always forget that I am usually the only foreigner at events...or for that matter anywhere (I'm not really sure how that slips my mind) so I'm always surprised when everyone starts paying extra attention to me.
The people in the parade spotted me out in the crowd (I guess not too hard when ur the only white person and ur wearing a bright pink coat) and welcomed me to the festival and their city.  They then left the parade and asked if I wanted to take some pictures with them.  Sure, why not?!
This Spring Festival was THE COOLEST.  :)

I call him "Lion Face"

Winter Wonderland in Nikko!

Before heading to Nikko, the only thing I knew about the place was that it was a World Heritage area known for its shrines and temples.  For some reason, probably lack of research on my part, I had no clue this place was up in the mountains.  Stepping out from the train station, I was greeted with a stellar view of the mountains hovering over this cute little mountain town.  :)

Although my pictures won't do it justice, the temples of Nikko were spectacular and rightfully deserved World Heritage status. 

Toshogu Shrine

Buddha statues that filled the forest

The famous little red bridge of Japan is also located in Nikko....

Best little red bridge ever :)

My night in the guesthouse here made me really appreciate my apartment even MORE than I already do.  I guess that's what happens when you share a room with 4 other people, and one of them is a 70 year old man from El Paso,Texas who likes to snore. A Lot.  I think I slept about one wink.

The next morning I woke up and was greeted with a beautiful and unexpected winter wonderland!!  After exploring all of the temples and shrines on my first day with gorgeous, sunny weather.... to see everything covered in snow, gave the place a whole new atmosphere.  It was unbelievable really.

Futarasan Shrine area

On my way out of Nikko, I had about 45 minutes to kill before catching the train.  I walked into the tourist information center and was planning to just warm up and browse around for a bit.  Before I knew it, there were 3 Japanese women surrounding me and speaking, obviously, only Japanese.  I kept trying to explain to them that I had no clue what they were saying but apparently they didn't care because they just kept right on chatting.  :)   I was finally saved by one lady who spoke a tiny bit of English.  They then sat me down for some traditional Japanese green tea and sweets.  Don't mind if I do.  :)  One of the older women tried to teach me how to make the froth on the green tea using a whisk made of bamboo, although I'm not sure she was too happy with the results because she made me do it twice.  :)   Soon after I failed to froth the tea perfectly, I found myself trying on Japanese wedding kimonos.  Lesson learned, it pays to stop in the tourist information center on your way OUT of town.  :)

Lady who tried to teach me how to make froth...and my eyes aren't open :)

I don't know why I look so tall