The 30th Annual Mikoshi Parade
The Japanese believe that carrying a Mikoshi will bring good luck in the year ahead. Each neighborhood has a Mikoshi and the festival and parade serve to bring neighborhoods together. The Mikoshi is very heavy since it is made of wood and metal and at least 50 people are needed to carry each one. But by tradition, they are not weighed. Each group chants "washoy" or "saya" to keep a rhythm as they walk very slowly, bouncing up and down. The parade includes 70 Mikoshi, the last of which represents the Navy. The parade starts offbase near the Yokosuka-chuo train station and proceeds down "blue street" through the Wamble Gate, where it ends up onbase. Viewers clap as each Mikoshi goes by. A Japanese ceremony concludes the Festival.