Although the threat of COVID-19 still lingers, society has largely settled down, and we are seeing many festival posters with headlines like "Back for the first time in 4 years!" popping up. While we were encouraged to keep our distance from others and society under the banner of "social distancing," attending a festival reminds us that physical connections have a strength that cannot be replaced by online alternatives. I truly believe that festivals are important for both individuals and their local communities.
Hashi no Shita Bon Odori SOUL BEAT ASIA 2023
Having lived in Osaka and Tokyo for about 18 years each before starting life in Nagoya, one thing that surprised me was the sheer abundance of festivals in this region. The Tokai region is home to a vast number of unique festivals, varying in scale and content, which I think perfectly reflects the character of the people who live here.
This applies not only to traditional festivals but also to new events; perhaps as a reaction to the relatively conservative temperament of people in Tokai, some events have an intense individuality, with "Mori, Michi, Ichiba" and "Hashi no Shita" leading the pack.
Hashi no Shita is particularly intense, and because of its progressive nature, it’s not something I can recommend to everyone. Without a strong sense of self-reliance, a zest for life, and an unshakable personal style, you might just walk away thinking it’s a strange event, and the energy is strong enough that if you only show up because it’s trendy, you’ll likely be pushed right back out.
Hashi no Shita Bon Odori SOUL BEAT ASIA 2023
Venue
Sengoku Park, beneath the Toyota Bridge (GoogleMap)Dates
August 25th (Fri), 26th (Sat), 27th (Sun), 2023
【Fri】 Doors 11:30 / Start 12:00~
【Sat/Sun】 Doors 9:30 / Start 10:00~Details & Entrance Passes
https://2023.soulbeatasia.com/
Let's go by bike
Precisely because it is that kind of festival, I want to go by bike. People who love cycling and follow the Circles website might not realize it, but for those who choose to "travel by bike" even when cars and trains are available, that shows a remarkably strong will compared to the general public. This ties into the concept of "cycling power," but let's put that aside for now; parking will be more limited than usual, so arriving by bike should be even more welcome.
Bicycle Cloak parking is available
Last year, we couldn't set up the "Bicycle Cloak" parking area because the space around Toyota Stadium was unavailable, but this year we’ve officially secured it. We’ll be operating near the ticket exchange booth, so please do come by bike and use it. I’m planning to make some special signage that fits the vibe of "Hashi no Shita."
Ride together with "BIKE to Hashi no Shita"
We are also hosting a group ride from Circles on Saturday, so please join us and ride there together. We plan to take our favorite route connecting the back roads from Nagoya to Toyota.
BIKE to Hashi no Shita
August 26th (Sat), 9:00 AM. Meet at Circles / Disband at the venue.
Approx. 30km / Includes some unpaved sections / Road bikes allowed
Participation is free
If you have any questions, please contact me via Monjya's Instagram DM or our contact form!
Account: @mon_jya