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Not even poor weather this year could dim the smiles at Aoba Matsuri, Sendai's most famous summer street festival.

The event, which attracts more than a million visitors from around the region each year, celebrates the city's rich history and culture, and features the Suzume Odori, or sparrow dance, performed by dozens of community groups. The dance is so-called because of its fluttering bird-like movements. It dates back to the 17th century when stonemasons building Sendai Castle reportedly performed this dance for Lord Masamune Date.

This year's Tohoku University Sparrow Dance Team comprised some 50 members, a mix of Japanese and international students who learnt the traditional dance in a semester-long class on Miyagi's history and culture.

"I'm from the south of Spain and we also have festivals in the spring and summer which I miss, so I thought it would be great to participate in this and have the cultural experience as well," said exchange student Carmen Diaz. "I'm usually very shy, but everyone has been very encouraging and dancing with this big group has been so much fun."

The group performed three times on Saturday to big cheers, and were accompanied by local drum unit Hiyokko (雛鼓) on their traditional instruments.

"The rain caused some delays, and we ended up getting quite wet, but the students didn't let that bother them at all," said Senior Assistant Professor Yukiko Shimmi, who led the class. "They looked happy dancing even in the rain and they put on a wonderful performance. I'm sure they made some lasting memories as well."

In the second half of the festival weekend, some 40 international students participated in the Yamaboko Parade, joining staff members of Fujisaki Department Store in pulling the company's 6-meter-tall traditional float.

"During my undergraduate years, we had the pandemic, so I never got a chance to do things like this," said Sarika Otsuka. "It's really exciting to finally be part of this festival."

Veronika Nazarejova, an exchange student from Slovakia, originally intended to join the university's Sparrow Dance Team. "The festival is such a nice way to experience the culture, and I wanted to do the dance but couldn't join the class," she said. "So, when I found out about this other opportunity, I was really happy."

"Since I've been in Sendai, I have been coming to watch Aoba Matsuri every year," said Triana Marchelina, a doctoral student from Indonesia. "It definitely feels different this time, so much more exciting to be a part of the festival, not just watching from the side."

Akshat Goyal, a graduate student from India, echoed the sentiment. "I've been watching this festival for the last two years, and some of my friends have even taken part in it. It always seemed fun so I told myself that this year I should do it too."

The parade route - which took more than 3 hours to complete - was lined with thousands of people waving and cheering.

"I usually spend a lot of time in the lab," said French exchange student Jules Monteleone. "But today, I get to enjoy being outdoors with my friends so it's great!"

For Fujisaki Department Store, a mainstay of the Yamaboko Parade for more than 40 years, this is the second time that they have invited Tohoku University students to walk alongside their float.

"Last year was really fun, so we were happy to have the students involved again this year," said Yuji Nemoto of Fujisaki's Aoba Matsuri Committee. "This time, we asked the students to engage the crowd by cheering and waving, and I think that created good energy and even more excitement. Today was truly enjoyable!"