After deciding on the spot to have both Anmokume and Chunqiu Fen compete in the event, the group made their way through the bustling crowd to the temporary registration booth beside the main racecourse building.
The closer they got to the main building, the more the carnival-like atmosphere intensified.
The air was filled with all kinds of tempting aromas: the savory sauce on freshly made yakisoba buns, the crispy, oily scent of golden fried chicken, the sugary sweetness of candy apples and cotton candy, and the mouthwatering aroma of bonito flakes dancing atop takoyaki. It was enough to make anyone's mouth water.
All along both sides of the road stood rows of stalls. Besides snacks, there were booths selling Uma Musume merchandise and souvenirs, traditional games like shooting galleries and goldfish scooping, and even stalls displaying local handicrafts.
Each stall was surrounded by excited tourists and locals. Animated chatter, cheers from lucky winners, and the sizzling of food on hot griddles rose and fell in turn, blending into a joyful clamor.
Huge banners and brightly colored balloons adorned the building walls and lampposts. They bore the striking words "Kasamatsu Uma Musume Carnival," along with energetic images of legendary Uma Musume like Oguri Cap.
Upbeat marches and event announcements played on a loop over the loudspeakers. It was a little noisy, but fit perfectly into the lively festival atmosphere.
They passed through a small makeshift stage area, where some kind of fun challenge seemed to be underway. Bursts of applause and laughter erupted from time to time.
At last, beneath a relatively spacious awning on the side of the main hall, they spotted the temporary registration booth, cobbled together from several long tables.
The hubbub from the event grounds on the other side seemed to be separated from the area by