Bon Odori 2010 @ Shah Alam
The Bon Odori Festivals is held every year at Matsushita Corp Stadium in Shah Alam, Selangor. Doors opened at 5pm (Saturday, 17/7), and where was I? Still at KLCC about to finish Inception. I rushed over to Shah Alam, wish I had Hiro Nakamura's teleportation power to get me there but alas I had to make do with a car.
With random pretty Japanese girl.. lol!
She was there to promote "Come Visit Japan" :)
Held during Summer, this is more of a Japanese Cultural festival more than anything else. Bon Odori simply translates as Bon Dance, an event held during Obon to welcome ancestors' souls and to hold a memorial service for the souls. During which time people gather at open spaces/parks dancing traditional dances accompanied by traditional Japenese music either with spiritual messages or folk songs.
This event is a great chance for Malaysians to experience a lil part of the Japanese culture and has been a big hit ever since it started here. You can join in the dance in the middle of the field around the stage where the performers are. You won't be alone coz there's a sea of people around you.
Performing the traditional dance
There were girls of all ages with pretty and colourful yukatas walking around. I'm not just talking about Japanese girls, the local girls joined in the fun too in their yukatas. But no Cosplay allowed though, as a sign of respect for the festival.
Enter sound effects: "Aaawwwww..."
Aren't they just adorable!!
I gotta get me one of those pretty yukatas for next year..
What else is there at an event like this? Loads of food! Stalls were set up at one corner of the stadium. But whoah the lines... they were ridiculously long! I managed to get some chicken/beef thingy with teriyaki sauce and bits of sushi. The line for these weren't very long you see and I was already hungry. Of course you can't miss the Japanese desserts, line was also long so I settled for the easily obtainable ice cream! ;p And people were just picnicking everywhere..
Really cute huh!
Doraemon food! Lol!
I don't know the name of that ice cream but it was yummy!!
After filling my tummy I walked around to soak in the atmosphere. Wished I had gotten there earlier coz it all felt a bit rushed. Next year, 4.30pm.. :)
10:45pm - Sleeping Supper
Been out since 9:45am yaww!
If you missed out on this year's, make sure to mark your calender next year.. Oh and don't forget to observe the guidelines especially with what to wear & what not to wear..
4 comments
i hope i can go bon odori next year.
ReplyDeleteI went once like 10+ years ago during high school! wow great times!
ReplyDeletexoxo elle
kelly & elle: we should go next year in a group wearing yukatas! ;)
ReplyDeletedoroshi & camie are in too..
I been to bon odori twice. for the last time, I went as one of the traditional japanese dance performers.
ReplyDeleteI sell yukata on my blogshoppe. everything straight from Japan.
more at http://geminishoppe.blogspot.com
the yukata sale will be will be opened until 15th august.
Appreciate your comments >_<