summer fireworks ++ lake suwa nagano prefecture japan

lake suwa

Summer Fireworks (Hanabi) -- Kamisuwa, Nagano Prefecture ---- Fireworks are always a big deal in Japan in the summer, and tens of thousands of people cram themselves into colorful summer kimonos, and cram themselves on to relevant pieces of shoreland to partake in the spectacle. One evening in August 2005 I was entitled to enjoy a night's fireworks magic on the shores of Lake Suwa, Nagano Prefecture, courtesy of my friend Kuniaki Tanaka. According to the tourist brochures, the annual fireworks at Lake Suwa are the largest in the world, with 40,000 devices exploded. Set against the lush hills of the Japanese Alps, they sure make an impressive sight. The cell phone photos on the right barely do them justice, and the public mood is rapturous at these events. So many people cramming the streets, so much excitement in the air. We ate barbecued meat and sashimi at Mr Tanaka's house. I threw up after eating a particularly noxious Japanese vegetable called shishitou. What a perfect night!

According to the Sightseeing in Suwa website: "The fireworks are held every year in August. They are beautiful, impressive, glorious and have a booming sound. About 350,000 people come to watch the fireworks." That's a lot of people crammed into one small area, and the roads home were blocked for hours at the conclusion of the festivities. Luckily I was situated not in the swarming throngs but in a house on the hill, drinking beer and sake and eating sashimi. After the fireworks finished we went down the hill to a small private onsen, and enjoyed the hot bath experience that only Japan can provide. It was the perfect way to end the night.

Although invented in China, fireworks appeal to something in the Japanese nature, in the same kind of way as the cherry blossoms of Spring. As the Things Asian.com site claims: "The Japanese considered hanabi (fireworks) as "flowers of fire" - brilliant bursts in various forms and colors of poignant beauty. Like the splendid cherry blossoms' brief existence, fireworks flash in all their pomp and glory for a fleeting moment only to vanish into thin air. Since fireworks displays have become such popular events, it's common to see many people strolling in yukatas (cotton kimonos), drinking cold beer and carrying uchiwas (round-shaped fans) - everyone from the neighborhood turned up for the festivity on muggy summer nights."



	lake suwa Summer Fireworks (Hanabi) -- Kamisuwa, Nagano Prefecture ---- Fireworks are always a big deal in Japan in the summer, and tens of thousands of people cram themselves into colorful summer kimonos, and cram themselves on to relevant pieces of shoreland to partake in the spectacle. One evening in August 2005 I was entitled to enjoy a night's fireworks magic on the shores of Lake Suwa, Nagano Prefecture, courtesy of my friend Kuniaki Tanaka. According to the tourist brochures, the annual fireworks at Lake Suwa are the largest in the world, with 40,000 devices exploded. Set against the lush hills of the Japanese Alps, they sure make an impressive sight. The cell phone photos on the right barely do them justice, and the public mood is rapturous at these events. So many people cramming the streets, so much excitement in the air. We ate barbecued meat and sashimi at Mr Tanaka's house. I threw up after eating a particularly noxious Japanese vegetable called shishitou. What a perfect night! According to the Sightseeing in Suwa website: "The fireworks are held every year in August. They are beautiful, impressive, glorious and have a booming sound. About 350,000 people come to watch the fireworks." That's a lot of people crammed into one small area, and the roads home were blocked for hours at the conclusion of the festivities. Luckily I was situated not in the swarming throngs but in a house on the hill, drinking beer and sake and eating sashimi. After the fireworks finished we went down the hill to a small private onsen, and enjoyed the hot bath experience that only Japan can provide. It was the perfect way to end the night. Although invented in China, fireworks appeal to something in the Japanese nature, in the same kind of way as the cherry blossoms of Spring. As the Things Asian.com site claims: "The Japanese considered hanabi (fireworks) as "flowers of fire" - brilliant bursts in various forms and colors of poignant beauty. Like the splendid cherry blossoms' brief existence, fireworks flash in all their pomp and glory for a fleeting moment only to vanish into thin air. Since fireworks displays have become such popular events, it's common to see many people strolling in yukatas (cotton kimonos), drinking cold beer and carrying uchiwas (round-shaped fans) - everyone from the neighborhood turned up for the festivity on muggy summer nights."
	[midsummer fireworks] kamisuwa japan 2005 copyright rob sullivan 1996-2005 and beyond!