Between 6th and 8th July, at Iriya Kishimojin Temple in Ueno, it was held the Iriya Asagao Ichi (Morning Glory Fair).
The schedule varies every year, so if you want to participate in 2010, you should inquire in advance. Last year, when I participated, the fair took place between 18th and 20th July. I knew that the fair attracts over 500,000 visitors, so to avoid the heat and congestion, I went in the morning.
I got off the train at the Iriya Station, and passing under the arcade announcing the event, I headed towards the temple, on Kototoi-dori.
In the temple courtyard and on the street there were dozens of stands, loaded with asagao pots:
Follow up:
It was early in the morning, so there were just a few visitors, including several photographers and the operator from Asahi TV.
First, I crossed the area, starting from the courtyard …
…and heading towards the stands on Kototoi-dori.
Because I couldn’t buy anything (how to carry a pot on the plane?), I just admired and photographed the flowers.
For the buyers, there were a lot of difficult choices.
Once the choice was made, they departed quickly, to escape from the heat:
For the sellers, it was the beginning of a long day, on a scorching sun, or in the covered area, where the air was even harder to breath.
I liked the flowers, but even more I liked the atmosphere.
The Iriya Kishimojin Temple: