虹のみさきまつり Niji no Misaki Matsuri / Festival

 

Some basic information in English about this year's festival and site (2010):

When: May 1-5
Where: Yakata 屋形 island in Oita Prefecture (a little South of the Southeastern shoulder of Kyushu)
Fee: 3000 yen for the duration of the festival *kids free

Things to keep in mind:

There are only three ferries a day (at 7:30, 12:00, ...and 16:00 at 300 yen per person), though you can charter one if you get together a group of 30 people at 500 yen per person. (The minimum was 10, but that was changed)

You can't drive to the island. There's no car ferry. Parking for the festival on the mainland side will cost 300 yen. Not clear if that's per day or for the duration.

Everything you take with you will need to be carried by you onto and off the ferry to the site. Of course, you're expected to cart your own trash home, as well.

There's a per bag charge of 100 yen for luggage carried onto the ferry.

From the island side of the ferry port, it will be about a 10-minute walk (this is according to the site, not confirmed by me) over rocks, pavement, and sand. It's suggested that you wear proper footwear for uneven terrain and have both hands free (though I don't know how one would manage that with say, a cooler -- because I'm definitely going to be bringing one of those).

There are no toilets or showers on the island. You can (are expected to?) dig your own pit toilet.

Personally, my request on this one is that people please dig their personal pits on the outer perimeters of the campground. There just isn't any reason to have your toilet pit right between my tent and yours. Or someone else's tent and yours. It's worth walking for a minute or two to keep your toilet away from living areas. Shit stinks. And if you don't put your toilet paper in a bag in your pocket, please burn it or at least bury it. No one wants to look at your used toilet paper.

Ahem. Moving on ...

The water supply is limited, so you may want to bring your own supplemental water supply in containers. (From what I can tell by the website, there's a hand-pumped well. Yes, that's singular.)

From what I can tell on Google Earth, expect for there to be no shade from trees. Bring a hat and sunscreen. The website warns of mosquitos.

It could get quite hot during the day and you should expect it to be very cold at night.

The island is famous for fishing and there will be a fishing competition. However, you're not allowed to dive for fish or other sea life.

There are stores for grocery shopping on the mainland port side. And there's a shower there, too, that you can use for 200 yen.

It's as likely as not that I've gotten some of this info wrong. Please post if that's the case.

The website seems to be getting updated regularly, so please check there for the latest information (in Japanese).

As always, there will be music (Seikatsu Circus!), workshops, a Children's Day tug-of-war, bellydancing, and amazing people.

I hope I make it there and that I see you there, too!

Peace,
Flo

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If you're interested in reading an old post about the old site, you can find one here.