Visit Report on Holy Lucky Star Shrine Final
Hello, Lucky Star fans! I'm Greg. I'm gonna report about a big festival called 土師祭 [Haji Sai (Haji Festival)], which is held once a year at the Washinomiya Jinja. Last year, the Lucky Star Mikoshi (portable shrine) appeared for the first time and 120 people, who were luckily chosen to carry the Mikoshi, carried it, shouting "Moe! Moe!" instead of traditional shouting "Soiya! Soiya!". I don't know who started shouting like this, but it's a new Moe culture, isn't it? The Lucky Star Mikoshi is now being displayed at Tobu Washinomiya Station, so you can see and take a photo of it.
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| Lucky Star Mikoshi (portable shrine) |
I luckily met a man who made the Lucky Star Mikoshi and talked to him about it. According to him, it weighs only 130 kg (You know, an average Mikoshi weighs 500 kg) because he made it as light as possible for Otaku people. But he said he would need to improve the Mikoshi because it was so light that it got unstable when being carried. Guess how much it cost to make the Mikoshi? It cost only 15,000 yen! It's reasonable, but doesn't look cheap at all. The festival is held on the first Sunday of every September, so it will take place on September 6 this year. Of course, the Lucky Star Mikoshi will appear!
He (the man who made the Mikoshi) runs a school uniform shop near the shrine, so I asked him if I could find some more about Lucky Star around the shrine. Yes, he had it! The Haji Sai version of Lucky Star T-shirt! It's brand-new and really cool! Well, I know, I know what you are waiting for. Yes, it's another present time! Please write "I want the T-shirt" in the comment box and post it (deadline: July 1). It's LL size on Japanese size chart, so it might be too big or too small to you. I will contact the winner by email later. Good luck! (Sorry, I won't be able to announce the winner here on AkibaBlog, so I'll directly contact the winner by email around July 3.)
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| School Uniform Shop | Displayed School Uniforms (not for sale) |
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| Lucky Star T-shirt Haji Sai Ver. | Advertisement of T-shirt |
According to the residents living near the shrine, Otaku people who visit the shrine are all well-mannered. As a matter of fact, the residents were scared of Otaku people at first, but Otaku people never disturb others such as throwing away their rubbish or making noise. Also, they usually park their Itasha in the parking lot of the shrine. But if the parking lot is crowded (especially on weekends), they voluntarily move their cars and park them in the parking lot of the town office, which is located 15 minute walk from the shrine. Great-mannered, Otaku people!
Though a little bit far from the Washinomiya Jinja, there is the Yoshimizu Kagami Gallery in Satte City, about 5 km east of Washimiya Town. Do you know it? It is a house where Yoshimizu Kagami used to live. The house has been redecorated as Konata's house and it features Kotana's room, Yutaka's room and Soujirou's room. The house is basically open on weekends, but you must purchase an admission ticket to enter the house. You can find some information on how to purchase the ticket on the official homepage (http://www.satte-sci.or.jp/home/gyarari-/hp/index.html). If my boss allows me, I'll visit Satte City, where Konata is believed to live, to look for something about Lucky Star and report on it here on AkibaBlog someday.
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| Yoshimizu Kagami Gallery in Satte City | Doorplate of Konata's House |
Ok, that's it. If you are a Lucky Star fan, you'll surely enjoy visiting the Washinomiya Jinja. It's about 60 minute train ride from Akiba. Well, this is my last Washinomiya Jinja report. I hope you enjoyed my articles. Thank you very much. Ajujushita-----!
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| The Main Gate of the Shrine | Lucky Star Ema "I wish I could become closer with Minami-chan. Yutaka" |
Reader Comments
I want the T-shirt
And thanks for the amazing report! ^^
Posted by LuckyServo | June 26, 2009 13:30
I want the T-shirt!
Thanks for all the great Lucky Star reports! Hopefully the English AkibaBlog will do something like this again in the future. XD
Posted by Nebs | June 26, 2009 15:55
Of course, I want the T-Shirt!
Seems a great side trip when visiting akiba: start at Wasunomiya Jinja in the morning and end shopping in Akiba in the afternoon.
Oh the perfect day! ^o^
Posted by David | June 26, 2009 20:51
I want the T-shirt
Posted by The_Icon | June 26, 2009 23:45
I want the T-shirt. Though getting the shirt wouldn't quite be as much fun as attending the festival.
Posted by Dr. Matt | June 27, 2009 06:00