Hey look everyone! Most of you know that my wife Yoko and I are tirelessly dedicated summer fireworks festival revelers and this year promises to be one of the best ever. It’s cheap entertainment, and with the economy in a less-than-ideal condition, we expect more festivals to gain popularity and a bigger-than-average turnout at most of them. In short, if you don’t like crowds in the summer heat, maybe this isn’t really the best for you. On the other hand, the hot summer festival is something truly Japanese and it’s so nice to see all those lovely yukatas around everywhere!
The season kicks off with the Gion Matsuri held in downtown Kyoto for a week in mid-July. The parade is scheduled for Friday July 17th, which happens to be today. The Gion Matsuri Parade always marks the beginning of the festival season for us, and our favorite end-point is Aug 16th when we see the 1000+-year-old Daimonji Fire Festival in Kyoto. There are quite a few smaller shows before and after Aug 16th and, if you are interested let me know in a comment below and I’ll have a look. Let me know what location you are interested in.
A favorite theme of ours is the Tohrohnagashi Festival traditional in northern Kyoto Prefecture. In the cities of Fukuchiyama, Maizuru, Miyazu and Ayabe you can see, on different nights, thousands of little candle-lit boats floated down the town river while fireworks rock over-head. This is very pretty and shouldn’t be missed. The problem is you need a car and a place to stay; it’s a bit much for a day trip.
July 17 – Gion Matsuri Parade – I can’t get to it this year but it marks the beginning! July 25 – Tenjin Matsuri Fireworks – You can safely expect this to be a tad crowded! (Hee Hee) I strongly recommend a vantage point. July 25 – Ayabe Tohrohnagashi and The Ashiya Summer Festival July 26 – Maizuru Tohrohnagashi Aug 1st – PL what needs to be said? It’s on a Saturday night. Wo. Also on Aug 1st – Yoko’s traditional favorite: Kobe Minato Taikai in Meriken Park – We won’t miss it! Aug 2nd – Awaji Aug 7th – Biwako – Very Very Impressive and Very Very Crowded! Aug 8th – Yodogawa Fireworks Festival Aug 10th – Uji !! This is the most wonderful setting there is. Everyone else thinks so, too so don’t be in any hurry to leave because you can’t!! Aug 15th – Fukuchiyama Tohrohnagashi Aug 16th – Miyazu Tohrohnagashi and Kyoto Daimonji Fire Festival
Enjoy!
Martin Werner Zander, Smith’s Partner
マーティン・ワーナー・ザンダー
Owner, Smith’s School of English Kotoen
月謝制のスミス英会話 甲東園校 仁川校 逆瀬川校
Looks amazing, Martin!!
I love a good fireworks display and good festival myself! We have so many talented photographers at Smith’s! What beautiful shots of the fireworks!
Thanks for the pics! I couldn’t make it to most of the festivals beause I had to work, so it’s nice to enjoy it through your pics!!
Carol