The Adventures of Pika-chan

The adventures of an adorable alpaca on a quest to find love, happiness, and a tasty meal or two. Pika-chan's photographer is Kat Johnston, who may or may not have a slightly unconventional alpaca obsession.

[pika-chan-adventures]

The fireworks at the Dontsuku Matsuri are the best I've seen in Japan! Maybe even the best I've seen anywhere. I was able to sit so close, and people were very polite not to get in each other's ways. 

[pika-chan-adventures]

The floats are being carried down the street to much singing, dancing and merriment. It is really fun seeing everyone have such a wonderful time, here at the Dontsuku Matsuri.

[pika-chan-adventures]

Ohh! The festival is starting! It's starting! A lot of people have gathered for food and conversation, and dancers have dressed in their special outfits. The lanterns are all lit, and the sun has set.

It's time to begin!

[pika-chan-adventures]

I think I will relax here for a while to listen to the waves, as I wait for the festival to begin. This? This is happiness. An evening on the seaside in a land that I love, with the wind in my fur and a festival to look forward to.

[pika-chan-adventures]

I'm not allowed to go swimming at the beach - there are too many rocks in the way. It is very lovely to see the sun set over the waters though.

Nya, the breeze is lovely... I feel really content.

[pika-chan-adventures]

This is the other side of the massive float. The ogre has a very, very large nose! I really like being by the seaside here.

[pika-chan-adventures]

This is a much larger float! The eyes on the big bird-like creature glow - there are lights inside of it. The sun is going down, so it is becoming closer to festival-time. I am getting excited!

People are still setting up, and there is much activity going on as people prepare for the evening.

[pika-chan-adventures]

I rested in the ryokan for a while, but now it's time for the festival! Each year at Izu-Inatori, they have a festival called the Dontsuku Matsuri. It is called the 'strange ritual', and is very different from many festivals!

This float I am standing in front of will be carried down the streets. It is in the shape of a giant phallus!

[pika-chan-adventures]

The table over there has warm water waiting for me, and yummy green tea-leaves to soak in it. I will sit on the tatami mats to enjoy my matcha. Kat, my travel companion, also has a yukata laid out for her, so that she can wear it in the ryokan! She chose the pink one. ^_^

[pika-chan-adventures]

It's time to relax! This is my room at the ryokan. It was very affordable, but the room is big, and very pretty. I am going to relax here for a little bit and drink tea, and eat red bean jelly, before I go out for the rest of the night.

[pika-chan-adventures]

I'm here! Izu-Kogen Station! After a full day of travel, I've reached my destination... but my day isn't over yet - not even close! Time to go to my ryokan for the evening.

[pika-chan-adventures]

If I sit just here, it looks like I'm the bus-driver! Pika the bus-driver is what they should call me! Tehehe!

[pika-chan-adventures]

I'm afraid I'm new to bus travel in Japan. It's a little bit scary, because I know all the stops with the train... but the bus is a little bit different!

[pika-chan-adventures]

Phew. Apple jelly drink adventure: done. Definitely a win on that front.

Back to the trains again! On my way to Izu-Inatori.

[pika-chan-adventures]

It's... it's... JELLY!

Jelly in a can! Glorious apple-flavoured jelly!

*noms it all up*

Wow. That was YUM.

[pika-chan-adventures]

All of this travelling is hard work! I think it might be time to have a drink.

Hmm... this one looks interesting... I wonder how it tastes?

[pika-chan-adventures]

Whizzing through the Shizuoka countryside. It's just beautiful outside my little train window.