Hordes of visitors on their way to Ume-no-Koen park.

Shortly after leaving the station and entering the main street for the festival, we found ourselves buying these たこ焼き (wheat-flour balls with octopus). Probably the best ones we have ever tried. They were using huge chunks of fresh octopus tentacles.

This troupe of taiko drummers filled the air with steady beats.

The kids were all drawn to these cheap masks.

I’m not sure why this bird was being escorted down the street through the dancing kids.

More drummers taking a break. There were a few of these stands set up along the path to the park. Perhaps they were representing different schools?

Empty drum stand and some more food vendors.

Mimi snacking on some bonito flake covered grilled mochi balls. It looks like a fried chicken tender…

Run for the hills.

Okonomiyaki stand. The red yolks caught my eye then I couldn’t resist buying from the sweet old lady making them.

Probably the fluffiest brown poodle we have seen in Japan so far. Mimi didn’t have any snacks to lure her home with us.

These kimono clad ladies were playing yamatogoto just inside the entry to Ume-no-Koen park.

Looks like a spider started to make a home here but got distracted.

Some fungi and bark always makes for some cool textures.

Compact Japanese Andromeda. First time seeing these. Pretty cool.

The dried out brown bulbs were an interesting contrast to the flowers themselves.

Great view of the city above the trees.

This guy had the right idea and was recording the scene in paint.

Would like to know what these grow up to be.

The garden is surrounded by a forest of these really tall trees.

A statue of Inari (fox-like spirit/god of the shinto religion) in front of a small shrine on the way out. Quite a fitting choice for the area.

Funny looking owls spotted watching over someones yard.

We couldn’t help revisiting this scene on the way back to Hinatawada station.

I have no idea why this poor frog’s heart was cut out to allow for someone’s face in pictures…

Sacred tree stump?

By the time we finished eating all the street food, we felt a bit like this fat frog. The sign was some sort of slippery bridge warning.

Thanks to the nice Japanese lady that took this for us.