What is Kawanishi Sightseeing Princess in Japan?

Which prefecture?

This site explains things fairly well (in English). There are three princesses selected (for the Genji festival) and these women are paid for their services as princesses for one year.

@WINDJWIND—these are like State Fair “Dairy Princess” ..not royalty like the Japanese Imperial Family.

See: http://www.city.kawanishi.hyogo.jp/english/7515/festivals/genji_f.html

Kawanishi is a bedroom community in Kansai (largely residential suburb) where folks who commute to work in Osaka or Kobe might live.

This is pretty common in all parts of Japan .. they have young girls who become “princess” or dress up in kimono and geisha style make-up for a regional festival/parade. This particular “Kawanishi Sightseeing Princess” crown is just for a year..and is a bit like a local tourism spokesperson type role.

FWIW, it’s very customary in Japan to compensate people who are asked to be in parades with an envelope containing about 30,000 or 40,000 yen.
I have been in parades like this (many many years ago) and was compensated as well for my “time and trouble” ...for getting all dressed up in kimono and walking in uncomfortable geta (wooden sandals) in a parade.
Where I lived (far in the south, in rural Kyushu) we had parades around Children’s day (during Golden Week) to celebrate a regional samurai.
Their “Genji” festival is about the same..celebrating and perhaps re-enacting a bit an ancient (Edo or older time period) samurai that the area might be historically known to have had as a resident.

@geeky_mama – where in Kyushu are you from? I lived in Fukuoka for 5 years and my wife is from Kitakyushu.

We’re moving back there in two weeks :)

I lived in Beppu (Oita-ken) for 5 years. I love Fukuoka – lucky you to be moving back! Enjoy some yatai for me once you’re back. ;)

nomonomnomnomtonkotsunomonomnomnomramennomonomnomnom