Kawachi Nagano Danjiri Festival - 河内長野だんじり祭り

Japan has a reputation for being of a reserved character.  

However, there is very little reserved about the autumn Danjiri festivals!

Danjiri are huge festival carts pulled through the streets by the residents of each neighborhood, equipped with lanterns, drums and dancers who compete in ritualized shouting competitions fueled by sake and pride.

The festival was incredible!  I highly recommend going if you have the chance.

 Festivals are serious business.

 Having a great time!

Break time.

Osaka Museum of History

Until the end of the week the Osaka Museum of History has an exhibit of Austrian and Japanese armor; while interesting, photography is not allowed in that part of the museum.  However, photography is allowed in most of the museum's permanent exhibition halls.

 Old and new high rise buildings. Osaka Castle with the Osaka Business Park in the background. 

Details of a Danjiri festival cart.  These elaborately decorated carts are hauled through towns and cities in some of Japans most boisterous and somewhat violent festivals.

Mask used in a rice planting festival.

 Karakuri doll heads used in a mechanical puppet theatre.

It's a crab. 

 The building itself shouldn't be overlooked either.