Surabaya Nihon Matsuri (Lenmarc): Torii, Tea Ceremony, Blurry Cosplayers & My Forever-Anonymous Aura

1:17 AM

Dragged Koko (saint, victim, non-otaku) to Surabaya Nihon Matsuri at Lenmarc because everyone else had “real plans.” On the schedule: origami, furoshiki, shodou, and my personal event - panicking near strangers in great costumes.

The gate, the crowd, the ghost (me)

If you see the big red torii, that’s the main entrance.
Inside = crowded. I kept bumping into old friends who didn’t bump into me back. My social superpower is invisibility.

Cosplay photos (or: why my camera hates me)

Stood by the info desk to collect photos with cosplayers. Koko clicked slowly, I twitched nervously, and we produced a museum of blur. If I hadn’t moved like a hummingbird, I’d have an album. Instead, I have… performance art.

Tip for future me:
Ask permission, set Burst mode, lock focus on the eyes, exhale, click.

Chanoyu (tea ceremony) why I sat perfectly still for once

I came mostly for this (and, yes, free tea). Sensei and participants wore yukata and prepared everything with precise manners that made my soul shut up for five minutes.

Cliff-notes you can steal:

Cliff-notes you can steal:

Tea arrived from China to Japan around the 8th century, initially as medicine.
Sen no Rikyū (Sakai, Osaka) shaped chanoyu into the pared-back art we recognize.
Also called chadō/sadō, it’s about hospitality, attention, and quiet, friends pause work-life, share sweets + whisked tea, and breathe.

I watched intently and then immediately forgot the order of steps. Memory: zero. Vibes: immaculate.

Food hunt (and why I should’ve brought snacks)

Wandered the stalls; not many “wow” bites beyond Papaya’s corner. I bought takoyaki (undercooked, tragic) and onigiri (serviceable). Next time I’m packing a granola bar and lower expectations.

Wishlist for the next matsuri

Give me the Japan-in-a-day version: fuller food street, stronger curation, more staff guiding photo lines. (Yes, I know budgets exist. A girl can manifest.)

Also spotted: Unitomo doing a matsuri on March 15, I wanted the yukata photobooth and rakugo, but I’ll likely be in Bali. If you go, clap once for me.

Pros & cons (speed run)

Pros

⛩️ Clear entrance + festive crowd
🍵 Tea ceremony demo = soothing, beautiful
👘 Cosplay energy = serotonin, even when blurry

Cons

🍢 Food options felt thin; takoyaki not fully cooked
📸 Low-light + nerves = bad photo rate
🧭 Wayfinding/entrance cues could be clearer for first-timers

Tips if you go next time

Arrive early for tea ceremony seats.
Bring cash (small bills) and snacks in case stalls underwhelm.
For cosplay pics: ask first, use Burst, step where the light is clean, keep elbows tucked.
If you’re shy, prep one line: “Boleh foto bareng, ya?” Then smile like you mean it.

Have fun~

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