There’s something amazing about the fact that the people of Akita have taken the simple act of carrying a paper lantern and made it into a competitive event.
Carrying one lantern. Easy.
Carrying fifty. Tricky.
Balancing those fifty lanterns on your head. Unbelievable.
Doing it at night. Ridiculous.
Akita Kanto Matsuri - Lantern balancing judges
Akita Kanto Matsuri - Lantern balancing
Akita Kanto Matsuri - Lantern balancing at night
A big thanks to Anton, a great kiwi guy I met on the street and press-ganged into holding my off-camera flash for the night shots. Couldn’t have got this last shot without you mate.
Another big thanks to Ian who let me crash on his floor when all the hotels were full. (If you want to see a Japanese festival, book accommodation early or you’ll be begging for floor space!)
TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography 
Whoa! great shots. I’ve never seen this before. Thanks for sharing.
When I saw the photos of preparing the lantern I never twigged that they would be upright, I thought the frame would stay horizontal. It must have been a spectacular sight.
Hi! Chris-san, I am from Akita. Looking at your beautiful photos, I felt like visiting Akita again where I visit every year in June. You may have realized that the air there is different. Air of north, I mean. I want to breethe the air there again!
クリス, amazing shots! Looks like the 645D is performing well 🙂