Yokkaichi Fireworks

During the summer it's guaranteed that every day--somewhere in Japan--there is going to be hanabi, or a firework show. In August alone, there are over 200 firework shows, and John, Joel, Chad, our friend Takahiro and I went to the Yokkaichi show.

Before finding a place to sit, we stopped at one of the food stalls for taiyaki. These fish-shaped sweets are made with pancake-like batter and filled with sweet bean paste or other delicious fillings. We tried custard. Yum!

We had a great view from Yokkaichi Port. The area was packed!

Not only do the Japanese celebrate summer with fireworks much more frequently than Americans, but with firework shows of a much greater caliber. When I tell my students that 4th of July fireworks generally last about 20-25 minutes, they all gasp, "Ehhhhhhhhhhh?" Japanese hanabi typically last at least an hour and a half. And although our pictures can't possibly do the Yokkaichi firework show justice, within five minutes of it's start, the show was better than a full 20 minute show back home. The fireworks were just great.

The Grand Finale:

One downside to seeing such amazing fireworks was trying to get home! The street was jam-packed with people.

You can't see too well in this picture, but many people were wearing jinbe (a kind of summer pajama) or yukata (summer kimono). Traditional clothing such as these are often worn to firework shows.

We had a great time, and can't wait for fireworks next summer!