Heso Matsuri (へそ祭り) (Bellybutton Festival)

Submitted by byron on Mon, 2009/06/01 - 16:06.
2009/07/24 - 00:00
2009/07/25 - 23:59
Event Information:

according to this website:

Quote:

Shibukawa City is located in the very middle of Japanese islands, referred as the "Bellybutton of Japan." Every fourth Friday and Saturday of July, Shibukawa hosts "Bellybutton Festival" each year.
The highlight of the festival is the belly dancing parade. The chant goes "show your belly, show your bellybutton" and around 1,300 participants dance along the streets in two days.
The method of Haraodori, or belly dancing is wearing a big sedge hat, draw a funny face on their belly, sidewind to left and right, move with the rhythm. The spectators are all smiles at looking at the humorous sight.
Now the festival is the highlight of the summer in Shibukawa and known to the rest of Japan. Please visit us during the festival season.

Event Location:

Shibukawa, Gunma

Event Directions:

by Train
The festival is a 5 minute walk from JR Shibukawa Station.

by Car
Drive to Shibukawa on the 17 or take the express way to the Shibukawa exit. It's in the north half of Gunma. You might want to arrange parking beforehand though.

Event Contact Information:

http://www.city.shibukawa.gunma.jp/osirase/invi/invi090501a.html

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Kiwi Josh's picture

Eye of the Storm

Submitted by Kiwi Josh on Tue, 2009/06/02 - 16:05.

OK just a little extra...
Parking in Shibs is nill on a good day. On the Saturday night(the actual parade) most of the inner city is closed off to cars. I would recommend coming by train or parking just outside the central city and walking in.

If you would like to join in the Belly-button (Heso) parade/drunk-ass conga line, please drop your name here so we can get a rough number. You'll need to be painted and given the appropriate attire at a specific time, so spaces can be limited.

Just-so-you-know the parade is usually men only. But if any women or transgender's would like to join please let me know so as I can bounce it off the organizers. You'll need a t-shirt with a face print on the front or a white t-shirt which can be painted. Alas no Bikini tops.
Again I'll get back to you on this once we get an OK.

Outside of that everyone is welcome. Heso is one of the more peculiar festivals of Japan so well worth checking out. To give you an idea of how famous it is, last year some of us ended up on TV in Hong Kong.

We hope to see as many of you as we can.

So until then,

hey byron & josh... are you

Submitted by Kiyomi (not verified) on Tue, 2009/06/09 - 12:17.

hey byron & josh...
are you arranging all the JETs for this? I would call the number because I saw a registration form going around for participation at my school...
heres the info number too!
0279-25-1311

Kiwi Josh's picture

Heso much fun

Submitted by Kiwi Josh on Tue, 2009/06/09 - 14:22.

Hey Tricia, this post is by no means official and is kinda aimed at people outside Shibs. Being a local you can just tell Machida at the meeting. I can also go through Kumiko.
To everyone else: I'm not on Facebook anymore and nobody uses Twitter, so for anyone outside of Shibs, just drop your name here and I'll pass it on.
I'll put more details up as the event gets closer.
PS There will be a "Heso Hausu Party" after, so everyone feel free to stick around.
I'll post (walking distance) directions later.