A summer festival was held at Futaiwa Neighborhood Association Center near NIT(KOSEN), Sendai College, Hirose Campus, on August 11, 2019. Four international students including a student from Princess Chulabhorn Science High School and six Japanese students of Hirose Campus took part in the festival as volunteers. This traditional local festival is held every August, during the Bon Festival period, to welcome back ancestral souls and to strengthen the bond of neighborhood.
Hundreds of local people participated in the festival and enjoyed the mikoshi parade carrying a portable shrine, singing karaoke and dancing on stage, joining the Bon dance, or buying local food at stalls. Our students had valuable experiences, walking with the mikoshi parade, helping selling food tickets, making and selling shaved ice, or operating the karaoke machine. They also enjoyed themselves singing karaoke and Bon dancing.
A Thai student commented on his experience, “This was my first time working at summer festival in Japan. I have learned many things and would love to attend this festival again next year. Thanks for really meaningful memories.” Another Thai student said about her experience, “It was my first time to do the volunteer work in Japan. Everyone is very kind to me and I enjoyed it very much. I feel thank you for making good experience and I hope to have the opportunity to do it again.”
Walking with the mikoshi (portable shrine) parade | Selling food tickets |
Bon dancing | Making and selling shaved ice |