The weekend before last was a big one here in Kutchan because it was the ‘world famous’ Jaga Matsuri [Potato Festival] weekend in Kutchan.
The potato is the local mascot for Kutchan town and this 2 day festival pays homage to the humble potato…or’ Jaga Kun’ as he know as here – the skiing, snowboarding, hiking ,cycling potato boy.
The main street in Kutchan up from the train station was closed and the festivities took pride of place.
Summer is the main festival time for towns throughout Hokkaido with each district celebrating their own local produce or Shinto legend and generally getting boozed. During the final parade of the festival young and old dance down the main street together in unison while the town song is pumped out of emergency PA system along the street.
With beer flowing and local pride on display it is defiantly a sight to see the whole grooving together. The festival wrapped up with a fireworks display from behind the train station – BAM !
