Kusatsu Matsuri

On two occasions,  I have had the pleasure of not only attending, but participating in one of the best matsuri (summer festivals) in all of Gunma. As it was explained to me, the basic premise of this festival was to carry a portable shrine around its local neighborhood, in order to bring it close to the older citizens that cannot make it to the actual shrine.  Basically there is all lot of heavy lifting and methodical movements, all fueled by copious amounts of alcohol (It is a summer festival after all).  Held over three evenings, each night culminates with all of the omikoshi from each neighborhood meeting in the center of town.  Each one colliding against the others to demonstrate which group has the most enthusiasm.