Halloween in Japan (continued)

The never ending topic, we know. Halloween was a lot of fun in Japan, and we found some extra shots of the holiday. 

Although yummy, this is not like the pumpkin ice cream you get at home. There is a swirl of what tastes like actual pumpkin puree. It's pretty tasty, just not what you would expect from pumpkin ice cream. 

Porta in Kyoto station had a free photo station set up, complete with staff to take your photo with your cell phone! 

We went as a Korean couple, obvious isn't it? Korean couples are notorious for their twin-like dress. Unfotunately in Japan people just thought we were twins or not dressed up at all...

The Hub was a Halloween central! Well decorated and populated by many costume-clad Japanese people. For once it was actually a great place to be. Also to be noted was the awesome waiter who came to my (Meg) rescue when while Kev was in the bathroom, a drunk guy sat down at our table and wouldn't leave! Thank you to the Hub and their awesome staff (even if you are a chain)

Yes, it's totally fine to bring your precious baby to the bar...and yes it's totally fine to let them wander the bar. 

Black face DJ at Butterfly! Because it's totally fine to be racist here...(just kidding...sort of)

Our tiny little pumpkins...Sharpie pen decorated as they were too small to actually carve...

geisha comb festival

A popular event amongst geisha-groupies is the annual comb festival. Held once a year, this festival celebrates the life and retirement of hair combs. "Lame," you may be thinking to yourself, and to an extent it was, but if you are unfamiliar with the long history of geisha and maiko, or have never seen the beauty of a geisha/maiko in person this is a highly recommended event.

The first thing we asked ourselves when we heard about the festival was why the hell would they need to have a burial (as it was called to us) for combs. Thankfully H-san explained to us, that any object a Japanese person possess for many, many years will be assumed to have a soul. This means that when it breaks or is too old to use, a burial ceremony is required to release the spirit.

During this festival, the actual ceremony is closed to the public, but the post-festivity parade is for everyone. You can also drop off your used or broken combs to the temple ahead of time and they will be a part of the ceremony as well.

The festival is held at Yasui Konpiragu Shrine at 1:00pm, at the end of September. The poor maiko/geisha were unbelievably hot in their silk gowns.

There is also a famous wishing stone at the shrine where people make wishes to end or start a relationship.

Bad luck omen slips being offered back to the temple. If you get a bad luck omen, this is how you keep it from coming true. 

Relationship stone, decorated with people's requests and names. Crawling through the stone is said to start or stop a relationship (depending on which way you go through). 

Anxious girls waiting to walk through the explanation area and on to the parade.

Explaination/Exhibit area. Each period walked through and then proceeded onto the parade. As you can see this is a insanely popular event, held at a tiny shrine. Go early for good viewing, or just plan to see them at the parade.