507 people in Japan set world record for pointing up in air at same time

MITO — Five-hundred and seven people pointing in the air here on Oct. 13 were recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest number to do so at the same time.

The activity was part of the Miyabi Sennin Kimono event giving people the chance to enjoy Japanese culture while walking through the historic streets of Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, in traditional attire. Participants in kimono and yukata and “jinbei” summer garments gathered on the pedestrian deck at the south exit of JR Mito Station, lined up and pointed to the sky in unison for 30 seconds.

When the official Guinness World Records certifier announced that the record had been achieved, the participants cheered and applauded. Naoka Sawa, 11, a fifth grader from Tokyo, said, “It was fun to get together and do the same pose. I’m happy to be able to boast to my friends about the record achievement.”

This year marked the second edition of the event, held by the general incorporated association of corporate managers for Ibaraki revitalization. It also included a tea ceremony experience and a viewing of a dai-kagura Shinto dance performance in the center of the city.

(Japanese original by Mayumi Nobuta, Tsukuba Local Bureau)