Maiko Earthquake Memorial Festival

At the end of August Maiko, which is in Tarumi Ward west of Kōbe City, hosted an annual Hanshi-Awaji earthquake memorial festival. The festival featured hundreds of lanterns decorated by local school children. These cute and sometimes heartfelt messages were aglow against the backdrop of the twinkling lights of the Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge. The atmosphere was contemplative but festive and the sounds of the crashing waves and smell of the sweet/sour salty sea air was relaxing and provided a welcome change from crowded and smoggy city.