Japan is a land of elegance, etiquette and tradition, and most of the street festivals reflect that, and can seem a touch staid.
However this is also the land of the quirky and downright daft, and one of it’s oddest carnivals is without doubt the Mount Tsukuba Toad Festival. This takes place every August at the Tsukuba Shinto Shrine, and is in honour of the toads that have surrendered their lives to the production of toad grease since feudal times, when it was believed that it protected the skin against sword wounds.
The shrine itself is toad shaped, and large models of the sacrificial amphibians are held aloft and paraded on palanquins. The traditional costumes and music are fabulous, and some of the dance displays are truly strange. As the sake flows aplenty, you’ll find yourself tempted by the array of ‘toady’ wares on offer.
This unique night ends with a spectacular firework display.

Tsukuba is 50km north east of Tokyo and takes an hour by train.
tsukubainfo.jp/Events/MountTsukubaToadFestival
Google map: bit.ly/g8TCoa

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