Mikata Goto Rainbow Line
On May 3rd, a golden opportunity presented itself: I had the pleasure of attending the World Festival, which took place in the stunningly beautiful Nishiyama Park in Sabae, Fukui. As soon as I arrived, I was amazed by the incredible number of food trucks along the road, and I was so excited when I entered the park! It was like a food parade before the big plunge into the festival. The sun was shining, and the sky was a beautiful blue. It was the perfect day to enjoy the atmosphere and indulge without restraint.
I'm so excited to tell you about the Sabae Tsutsuji Festival! It's an absolutely enchanting annual event that celebrates the spectacular flowering of over 50,000 azaleas in 11 different varieties! Just imagine: the hills of the park are covered in waves of color, a living tableau of striking beauty. It's a natural wonder that you'll never forget.
But this festival is about so much more than flowers. It's a joyous celebration, full of life, with temptingly fragrant food stalls, open-air concerts, and activities for the whole family. It's a moment suspended between nature and culture, an experience you'll want to enjoy to the fullest. It's a celebration of the joy of being together and the beauty of spring.
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The hardest thing about all this food was choosing! As soon as I arrived, I was delighted to try the yakitori, delicious grilled chicken kebabs, tender and lightly caramelised, an essential classic of Japanese street food. Then it was on to the Korean food stalls, where I just had to try the corn dogs. These super popular snacks are sausages (sometimes mixed with cheese) coated in a doughnut batter, then deep-fried until crispy on the outside and melt-in-the-mouth on the inside. Some are even sprinkled with sugar or topped with diced chips... a real treat for the taste buds!
To go with all that, I treated myself to a delicious chilled mango smoothie, which was just the thing to cool off in the lovely sunshine. It was a lovely, fruity break between two stands!
As I enjoy my delicious mango smoothie, I can't help but be amazed by the huge range of stalls spread out in front of me. Some of them are really intriguing, with dishes from the four corners of the world, tempting smells and original presentations that catch the eye. After a little stroll around the park to digest, I'm back on the road, eager to keep exploring and discover more delicious food trucks. My poor stomach just can't catch a break today!
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I just couldn't resist the call of a pistachio cream doughnut, a treasure trove of sweetness and indulgence. It was the perfect way to end a delicious day of eating! Oh, I just love discovering all these amazing stands! It's such a wonderful festival of the senses! Every street corner is like a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered, and the adventure is just as exciting as you'd expect!
After all those delicious treats, the moment we'd all been waiting for finally arrived. We set off to explore the park and what a wonderful surprise it was to come across a small zoo housing red pandas! It was such a lovely surprise! These adorable, playful fur balls are the life of every room, melting hearts with their joy and curiosity. And the best part? Admission to the zoo is completely free, which just makes the visit even more special. Treat yourself to a little break in the fresh air – it's the best way to start your day!
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Then we were treated to the sounds of South America on the open stage. The whole place was filled with such a festive, sunny atmosphere that it made you want to dance, smile and make the most of the moment! Oh my, those empanadas were just so tempting! I just couldn't resist. And the music was so lovely, it made my day. I did find them a little spicy though, but that's okay, I still enjoyed them. A festival of flavours and rhythms, an unforgettable experience that will make you feel as though the magic of summer has been extended just for you!
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I'll leave you with a short video of the festival so you can get a feel for the incredible atmosphere, as if you were there! 🌸🎶 And I'd love to keep sharing my daily life in Japan with you, because there's so much to discover, so many surprises and moments of life. The adventure has only just begun... 😄
We returned to Sabae, and what an incredible evening we had! We seized this incredible opportunity to end the day on an absolute high note.
We headed to karaoke, a classic in Japan, where we sang until we lost track of time! What an incredible way to end our getaway! We were laughing so much, and the impromptu covers and relaxed atmosphere were just perfect.
We then ended the evening with a delicious Japanese barbecue (焼肉), savouring succulent grilled meats. We just had to stop and think back about this incredible day full of amazing discoveries!
What an absolutely incredible day, full of emotions, laughter and magical moments! It ended in an atmosphere of extraordinary warmth and conviviality, making it a truly unforgettable experience. I'm going home feeling absolutely fantastic, totally exhausted but with a light and happy heart.
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I really hope your day with us made you happy!
Between the sea, mountains, nature, Japanese delicacies and moments of relaxation, it was a truly charming and emotional getaway.
I'll leave you with a video of the day so you can relive these moments as if you were there!
I'm so excited to go back and discover even more of the wonders of this fascinating country, whether it be nature, culture or the hidden treasures.