Children cool down at festival in southwestern Japan

Children cool down at festival in southwestern Japan

As hot weather continues in Japan, children in the southwestern city of Miyazaki had the chance to cool down at a festival.

The children pulled a float carrying the Buddhist figure of Jizo while being splashed by water. The tradition began about 150 years ago when residents of the Nakamura district picked up a wooden statue of Jizo drifting on the Oyodo River and enshrined it. Jizo is considered the protector of children.

The event took place in scorching heat on Monday, with the temperature in the morning already over 35 degrees Celsius.

The children pulled the float along the street while chanting. Staff at shops along the road and residents used buckets and hoses to splash water on the children and the statue, symbolizing the hope that the children will grow up healthy.

Some of the children said it has been hot every day, so it felt good to be splashed a lot.

One resident said the festival has continued since she was a little child, and that it makes her feel that summer has arrived. She added that splashing water gave her a refreshing feeling.