Wisteria flowers and Blue Tea: My Festival Day Story

There’s something magical about festivals in Japan. As many of you may have seen in movies or anime, festivals here feel deeply emotional filled with energy, nostalgia, and charm. The Fuji Shima Festival in Ichinohe was no exception.                                                     

It was held to celebrate the majestic 100-year-old wisteria tree (Fuji) that’s cherished by the local community. The day was filled with dancing, performances, laughter, and the mouthwatering scent of festival food in the air. And on this special day, I found myself right in the middle of it all, sharing a tent and my story.                                                     

^{This photo shows a broadcast from local TV. All broadcast rights belong to their respective owners.}

I arrived around 9:30 AM to set up my booth, sharing the space with Yamamoto-san (another member of the Community Revitalization project). The wind made things a little tricky at first but we worked together to get everything in place.                                                     

For those who stayed longer, I even gave a short presentation about Colombia and our work through the Chiiki Okoshi Kyōryokutai (Community Revitalization Project). It felt meaningful to build a small cultural bridge through shared stories, tea, and smiles.                                                     

My offering was a gentle cup of butterfly pea tea. Its vibrant blue color turned purple with a splash of lemon, perfectly matching the Fuji flowers that inspired the festival. But this wasn’t just tea, it was an invitation to slow down, to chat, and to connect. People stopped by, curious not only about the tea but also about the handmade Colombian crafts I had brought along. Their colorful textures sparked conversations about culture, tradition, and everyday life on the other side of the world, specially because Ichinohe is know for its craftsmans as well!.                                                     

A highlight of the day was when Nanami Kawaguchi from Cassiopea FM stopped by for a quick radio interview (in Japanese!). She asked about the tea, my culture, and what brought me to Ichinohe. Watching her try the tea on air was priceless, it’s always special to witness someone’s first encounter with something new.                                                     

I ended up serving about 75 cups of tea throughout the day, sometimes barely keeping up with the stream of visitors. Thankfully, Yamamoto-san stepped in when things got too busy. Arigatou gozaimashita!  From inside the tent, I could hear the echo of traditional drums and occasional applause from the performances in the school gym. I wished I could sneak away to watch, but just listening was enough to remind me how alive the culture here still is.                                                     

After the event, I took a quiet walk to visit the wisteria tree in full bloom. I’d heard stories about its beauty, but nothing prepared me for the rich fragrance and the way its purple blossoms draped like chandeliers from the branches. In Colombia, where flowers bloom all year, we sometimes take their beauty for granted. I’ve learned to appreciate the ephemeral magic of Japan’s seasons. Here, flowers bloom briefly but are loved intensely, and that makes them even more special!                                                     

This day reminded me why I came here, not just to work, but to connect, to learn, and to share. From curious children to elders reminiscing about their travels, everyone brought something unique to the festival. In return, I offered a taste of my homeland and a piece of my heart.                                                     

Spring is ending. Summer is coming. And I can’t wait to see what’s next.