Yuzawa Autumn Festival - October 19, 2014

Autumn is a great season in Japan for so many reasons: beautiful scenery as the leaves change, cool temperatures mean being outside is a pleasure, great food, a respite between the humidity of summer and the heavy snow of winter.....

It is harvest time and to celebrate there are lots of Autumn Festivals. The one in Yuzawa is one of the best festivals of the year in these parts. It is based around the Yuzawa Cultural Center by Chuo Park, and there is a shuttle bus from the center of town.

There are lots of stalls selling seasonal food. There's mochi, newly harvested rice cooked in traditional pots over wood fires, mushroom soup, and you can supplement this with treats from some of the local restaurants who also set up shop. The locally-raised pork burger in rice bread with miso and chili sauce is amazing, and the cakes on a couple of the stalls will have you walking round the park a few times to burn off some calories.

There is also entertainment with both the local taiko drum troupe and the yosakoi dance troupe performing for the crowds.

This is one not to miss. Don't forget to bring your own chopsticks and dish to cut down on rubbish.