Hanabi - the big ones

The firework shows here are so breathtaking.  These are not your normal 4th of July fireworks.  They are different here.  Shooting up from the ground, everyone can see where they are launched from.  They tend to be smaller, but much more interesting.  It is so hard to explain.

During summer, there are lots and lots of chances to view fireworks.  Just like the semis (cicadas) in the trees, fireworks are an element of what makes a summer a Japanese summer.  We've attended a couple fireworks displays already this summer.  Each show is so fun and entertaining.  As a kid, I always had a hard time staying awake late enough to see the sparks begin to fly, since the shows don't usually start until 10.  But here, each show beings promptly at 8:00 pm.  This makes it so much more family friendly because it isn't super late. 

Last weekend, we went to Toshimaen to see the fireworks that they recently reintroduced.  20 years ago they stopped their firework shows every weekend of the summer.  But this year they brought them back.  We went to the theme park right as the park was closing at 7:30.  We purchased a bench for ¥1000 ($9) which gave us guaranteed good seats.  When the fireworks started at 8, we knew we did the right thing.  They were amazing and we had front row seats.  My son sat with his mouth hanging open.  When it was all said and done, we all looked at each other with eyes wide open.  A simple "wow" escaped our lips, as we tried to fathom what we had just watched.

Tonight my park friends gathered to watch the fireworks at the local military base.  Twice a year the base opens it's doors to the public and sets off fireworks.  It was a fantastic demonstration with matsuri booths, bon odori dancing, music, and fireworks.  The moms staked out good seats (places for our mats), and we were rewarded nicely.  We could see the stage for the 6 pm to 8 pm entertainment and we had front row seats for the 8 pm fireworks.  Such a glorious evening.