I fly in and out of Haneda a majority of times through he International Terminal. The last time I came through Terminal 1(domestic) was way back in
2011. My party was headed to the Snow Festival in Sapporro. We flew there and took the train back, passing through Sendai. Several months later the earthquake and tsunami hit. Nothing as dramtic as this time. Landed, luggage was waiting for me, bus was just outside and ready to leave soon. From Aomori airport, we are headed to Hirosaki JR station where my hotel is situated. I mused how well this leg of travel was going. I mused too loudly... I non chalantly disembarked from the bus and headed to the hotel to check in. Stopped mid step and realized I forgot my luggage. Hurriedly turned around to find the bus had already left and was no where in sight with my suitcase. Frantically I asked for assistance from the counter clerks. With the help of Google translate, I relayed my problem, they called the bus company, and assured me that I could pick it up at the bus terminal. This happened to be a block away. Crisis averted.Helpful hint, scout the area early. Tonight the procession would weave through the station area in front of the hotel. Would be nice to watch from my top level room if were only facing the right direction. It would not face the right direction for a few days until it was all over. Due to the popularity of the surrounding events, I had to book several different nights. Anyway, I found this electrical box right in front of Hotel Route Inn facing Hirosaki station. I calimed the area behind it while using the utility as a base for the tripod. Worked out well as I saw few people do what I dd until Goshogawara. The parade rolled by with sections of dancers, flutists and drummers, and finally the float. Neputa are fan shaped floats with pictures on either side. They ar lit up from inside and pushed along by human power Some were small and more manuverable while others were very large and required them to be lowered to fit under obstacles. The refrain "Ya ye do!" was very common with each passing group. different locations have different phrases being used. Over 40 large floats and over 120 minutes later, the last float was escorted by a police car. I had decided to defer a meal of street food until the parade was over. The street side set ups were beginning to disappear as the last float passed. By then, many restaurants nearby were closed so I went with conbini food of salad and sanwich. Tuesday will be a full day celebrating in Aomori.
