I saw a summer "matsuri" and spring "matsuri" and it was amazingly authentic and old style.
I was impressed that everyone participates and the atmosphere is amazing!!!!
Anyone going to Japan should try to experience at least one!!

Yeah, Eric, I love them too!!
I am always impressed at how so many people drink but there is never any trouble always "kimochi ii" (good feeling).
EVERYONE goes from the youngest to the oldest and it is a really amazing community spirit!!
I made a video on part of one of the events in our town..
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/527215/japan_a_small_community_works_together_to_haul_a_heavy_structu/

This weekend (August 9/10) is the start of "O Bon" festival in Japan.
It is a time when the spirits of relatives who have dies come back to visit.
This weekend there are lots of ceremonies and festivals to welcome them.
Next week many people have holidays and then the weekend of 16/17 there are many celebrations all over Japan to say good bye to the relatives as they return to where they came from.
(This is a foreigners interpretation of "O Bon" so I would be interested to hear other people's impressions if they have experienced it!!

In the middle of OBon now and I should have also added that it is not just a time for the spirits of dead relatives to visit..
it is also traditionally the time in Japan when the live relatives visit too

OBon is in full swing in Japan now!
Big matsuri (festivals) this weekend and last night in our little town we had hanabi (fireworks), some were fired into the ocean!
Look at this:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1640725/water_fireworks/

Love Japanese hanabi and festivals!!
Those Japanese dudes really know how to get into the spirit!!