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| It was cloudy in the morning on the final day. Our spring journey in the cold spring weather is coming to an end today. We want to complete the whole distance to the finish line in Kyoto while enjoying driving. The entrants set off from RURIKOH at 7:00 am and headed to Fukui Prefecture. They competed a PC competition at SHIBAMASA WORLD in Sakai City, then received a stamp at Maruoka Castle. They left Sakai City for the next destination. They passed through four stamp points, Eiheiji Temple in Eiheiji Town, Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins in Fukui City, the Megane Museum in Sabae City, and the PORT OF HUMANITY TSURUGA MUSEUM in Tsuruga City. After competing a PC competition at Kirameki-Minatokan next to the TSURUGA MUSEUM, they had lunch and warmed up their cold body for the rally in the afternoon. The entrants left Tsuruga City and headed to Kumagawajuku in Wakasa Town. It was our first visit to Kumagawajuku since 2017 and many local people came to cheer for the entrants. The entrants enjoyed interacting with local elementary school students there, such as an interview by the students. Seeing happy smiles of the children sitting in the driver's seat made us smile too. After receiving a stamp at Kumagawajuku, the entrants traveled to Shiga Prefecture, heading to the final stamp point, Michi-no-Eki Kutsuki Shinhonjin in Takashima City. They received the final stamp of the four days there, and drove on Saba Kaido (Mackerel Road), where it is said that peddlers carried mackerel caught in Wakasa Bay to Kyoto on foot a long time ago, and finally headed to the finish venue, Okazaki Park in Kyoto. At Okazaki Park in front of Heian Jingu Shrine, many spectators were waiting for the arrival of the entrants. As the cars were coming into the park, they gave the entrants a warm applause. The entrants praised each other for completing the rally while shaking hands with a smile. At the finish ceremony, the entrants went through the finish gate with a smile with Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko and Kyoto City Mayor Kadokawa watching. Their tanned face looked dignified and proud. After the finish ceremony, a farewell dinner and an awards ceremony were held in the evening. It’s time for the entrants to make a toast with friends who completed the four-day rally together. Third place was won by the No. 5 of the Yamazaki father-son team. They also won the La Festa Primavera 2019 and showed their strength again. The No. 14 of Mr. and Mrs. Ishiwata team took second place. In recent years, this skilled team has been getting stronger rapidly, and did well in this event too. The No. 3 of Yokota and Oki team won this year’s La Festa Primavera, their third title including in 2011 and 2018. This experienced team’s performance was stable from beginning to end and they won by a large margin. Our four-day journey came to an end and the La Festa Primavera 2023 closed in a friendly atmosphere. Although this year’s event was also held during the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to meet more local people than before at each point. The way of interaction has changed but still, we had many opportunities to interact with local people. I’m really touched that they welcomed us warmly even under these circumstances. The entrants will never forget this four-day journey where they visited Hokuriku for the first time. （text & photo／Mika Iwamoto） |
 Winner Yokota and Oki team, first time in five years and total of third times  LANCIA AURELIA B20GT PRE-SERIES driving in stamp point Eiheiji Temple  TOYOTA 2000GT competing PC competition at Kirameki-Minatokan  FORD MODEL T arrives at stamp point Kumagawajuku  BENTLEY 3.5L crossing finish line at Okazaki Park |
