FESTIVALS OF JAPAN: Typhoon season still reason to make merry

Many tourists come to see the graceful dancers at the Owara Kaze no Bon festival on Sept. 1 in Yatsuo, Toyama Prefecture. (The Asahi Shimbun)Women with large traditional straw hats dance to Owara music at the Owara Kaze no Bon festival on Sept. 1 in Yatsuo, Toyama Prefecture. (The Asahi Shimbun)Dancers participate in the Owara Kaze no Bon festival on Sept. 1 in Yatsuo, Toyama Prefecture. (The Asahi Shimbun)Giant torches are lit to mark the end of the summer climbing season at Mount Fuji on Aug. 26 in Fuji-Yoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture. (The Asahi Shimbun)Horses decorated with paper flags are part of the Hanauma Festival in Nagiso, Nagano Prefecture. (Photo by Hideo Haga)