Japanese Food Festival: Mochi Pounding, Shrine Bouncing

Last weekend's Japanese Food Festival at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center served up more than just food, though there was plenty of that too. Among the festivities: awaodori and yosakoi dance performances, samurai sword dramatics, a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, and a raucous shrine parade.

Eats on offer included yakitori, yakisoba, okonomiyaki, taiyaki, and takoyaki. That's (in order) grilled chicken, grilled noodles, grilled omelet, grilled waffles, and grilled octopus balls.

Mmm, chicken balls.; Credit: D. Thomas

Shin-Sen-Gumi is smoking.; Credit: D. Thomas

Mikoshi gone wild!; Credit: D. Thomas

Everybody loves fish waffles.; Credit: D. Thomas

Gaja's okonomiyaki.; Credit: D. Thomas

Japanese tea ceremony.; Credit: D. Thomas

Ice, ice baby.; Credit: D. Thomas

It's mochi. Really. Don't be scared.; Credit: D. Thomas

Credit: D. Thomas

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