The Setagaya Animal Festival - November 3, 2013

I know some people criticise Facebook for being a place full of pictures of cats and status updates about what someone has just eaten but it is a great way of sharing information.  I was reminded of this on Sunday morning.  Just back from a run, with no clear plans for the day, I was checking FB and a friend of mine posted about the Setagaya Animal Festival which was happening that day.  I thought it sounded interesting, forwarded the information to some of my friends and a couple of hours later, was on my way to Kinuta Park, Setagaya to meet friends and see what the animal festival was like.

It was a beautiful and warm November day in Tokyo and the festival was very popular.  I had travelled over by train but in Japan, bicycles are very popular and many people had shown up by bike.  In Japan the big bikes equipped for carrying kids and often with power assistance are called "mama-chari" (a bike for mums).  With places to seat kids on the front and back, I find them quite imposing looking and I'm impressed at the balancing skills of those who use them.

Many people had brought their own dogs with them and another popular thing is Japan is dressing dogs up. This dog didn't seem entirely convinced by the tie his owner had picked out for him.



 

But this dog took the opportunity to get a multiple fuss in the sunshine.

 

 

And I am used to the practice of smaller dogs being pushed around Tokyo in what look like strollers but are purpose built and sold for dogs but I had never seen one quite this big before.

 

 

At the festival, there were many stalls and a small stage which had a variety of performances and talks over the course of the afternoon.  Here is the police band providing some musical entertainment.

At one stall, children could learn about cones, seeds and autumnal fruits that might be found in the wild.

 

This young girl seemed capitvated by the display and was collecting some of the cones for closer inspection.

 



 

In another area of the festival there was an area where we could get up close to animals and children could go into a petting area.  For many children who live in Tokyo, I would imagine this was a rare chance to get up close with many of the animals and they were very excited to do so. 

 

Although you had to wonder at times, who was watching who as this cow definitely had an eye on what was going on as a Mum showed her little one the cow.

There were two calves who were very patient with all the attention they were getting. There were always supervisors on hand to help out which was good, especially as people kept trying to take their dogs near to the cows which wasn't always the best mix.

This one, who after giving me a good lick, was happy to accept straw from this young boy who had waited very patiently for his turn.

 

What was amusing to watch was the kids who would wait, holding out the straw to give to the calves, but as soon as the calf turned to them the kid would get scared and back away. 

In the petting area meanwhile, this rabbit accepts a carrot from a little boy...

 

Whilst this guinea pig sought refuge from the crowd by hiding under a stool.

One of the highlights of the festival had to be the falconery display which included flights made by owls and hawks.  Such an amazing opportunity to see these beautiful birds of prey up close.

After displaying some of the birds in flights made between their handlers, there was an opportunity for those attending the fair to "catch" the birds.  A little girl catches an owl who enjoys his reward in her hand.

 I am so glad that my friend posted about the festival on FB and that I was able to go and enjoy it as it was well organized and a good (and rare) chance to get up close with some beautiful birds, get licked by a calf and be out and about in a friendly atmosphere.   And to end, here is some gratutious fluffy cuteness that wouldn't be out of place on Facebook!