Japanese fireworks festivals and how its done behind the scene

As we gradually enter the mid summer and since in Japan we are in festival season, today we will talk about japanese fireworks, trying to explain the differences with other kind of fireworks and the singularities of japanese fire art performance.

Summer is fireworks time. For centuries, Japanese have been fascinated by this spectacle of lights called "hanabi" (花火) which literally means "fire flowers." Contrary to other countries where fireworks are launched on special occasions such as New Year's, national holidays, concerts or entertainment events, fireworks festivals (花火大会) "hanabi taikai" are held in summer nearly  every day across the country, accounting more than 200 during August, although the "big ones" are usually carried out on saturdays.

The festivals consist of large fireworks shows, the largest of which use between 25,000 and 39,000 rounds (Suwako,Nagano), and can attract easily more than 8,000 spectators! Street vendors set up stalls to sell can drinks and Japanese-style food as Yakisoba, Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, and traditionally held festival games like Goldfish scooping.

Street vendor in a fireworks festival

It is a tradition that both men and women attend these events wearing the traditional Yukata, summer Kimono, or Jinbei (only men), gathering with the family or friends and sitting in a picnic-style way, eating and drinking, while watching the show. The first fireworks festival in Japan was held in 1733.

Picnic-style gathering

Photo courtesy of Japanese Fireworks Homepage

Japanese fireworks singularity is that the shell is spherical, according to the Japan Pyrotechnics Association, whereas Western-made fireworks are often packed in cylindrical shells, creating different effects. The difference between the two becomes more evident the larger the fireworks. Generation after generation, the Japanese pyrotechnicians and craftsmen delegate the traditional technology that they developed, even at the risk of their lives.

Photo courtesy of Japanese Fireworks Homepage

The process of spherical shells assemble can be resumed as followed: Through a mix of chemical compounds results two different kind of materials: stars and powder. 
Stars play the most important role, therefore all the stars contained in a shell must be manufactured in the same size and quality. Once the shells' materials are perfectly set up, both halfs are unified and paper layers wrap the mentioned shell. Finally the shells are let to dry in the sun.

Photo courtesy of Japanese Fireworks Homepage

 

Operator installing the shells

Must-see firework shows in Japan

Sumida River Fireworks

Last Saturday of July from 19:05 to 20:30 (August 27, 2011) 

Held along the Sumida River around Asakusa Station.

The Sumida River Fireworks, which are known as one of the oldest and most famous firework displays in Japan, are launched from barges anchored along Tokyo's Sumida River between Ryogoku and Asakusa. 

Tokyo Bay Fireworks

Tokyo Bay Fireworks

Second Saturday of August from 19:00 to 20:20 (canceled for 2011) 

Viewing spots around Harumi, Toyosu and Odaiba.

The Tokyo Bay Fireworks are held north of the Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo Bay. About 12,000 shells are launched from barges anchored in the water. 

Omagari National Fireworks Competition

Fourth Saturday in August from 17:00 to 21:30 (August 27, 2011) 

Along the Marukogawa River, a 15 minute walk from Omagari Station in Akita Prefecture.

Often considered the top firework show in Japan, the Omagari National Fireworks Competition is a special event to which only the best pyrotechnic teams are invited. Thousands of shells are launched throughout the event as teams compete in both day and night categories.

Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition

First Saturday in October from 18:00 to 20:30 (October 1, 2011) 

Along the Sakuragawa River, a 30 minute walk from Tsuchiura Station, Ibaraki Prefecture.

Held in October, the Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition is one of the top three firework shows in Japan. As it is also one of the last major shows of the year, the pyrotechnic companies use the competition as a chance to show off their latest and best designs for next summer's shows.

Nagaoka Fireworks

Nagaoka Fireworks

August 2 and August 3 from 19:30 to 21:30 

Along the Shinano River, a 20 minute walk from Nagaoka Station, Niigata Prefecture

The Nagaoka Fireworks are held over two nights in August along the banks of the Shinano River. Both nights feature two straight hours of fireworks including some of the largest shells in Japan such as 90 cm diameter Sanjakudama shells, and the festival's signature Phoenix Shell, which has come to be a symbol of recovery after the 2004 Niigata Earthquake. The show's ending covers nearly two kilometers of the riverbank and is the widest span of fireworks in the world.

Osaka Tenjin Fireworks

July 25 from 19:25 to 20:00 

Along the Ogawa River around Osakajo Kitazume, Osaka Tenmangu, Tenmabashi and Sakuranomiya Stations

Osaka's Tenjin Festival is ranked among Japan's Three Great Festivals, together with Kyoto's Gion and Tokyo's Kanda Festivals. 4000 fireworks are launched on the festival's second night (July 25) while a procession of flaming ships bearing portable shrines and people dressed in period costume travels along the Ogawa River. The fireworks, boat procession and illuminated bridges are best seen from the Minami Tenma and Kema Sakuranomiya Parks along the river.

Miyajima Fireworks

Miyajima Fireworks

August 14 from 19:50 to 20:50 

Miyajima Island around Itsukushima Shrine.

In this venue more or less 5300 fireworks are launched from boats just off the north shore of Miyajima Island. The fireworks are best viewed from the Itsukushima Shrine area, and when combined with the shrine's giant torii gate results in one of Japan's most famous firework scenes.

Chichibu Night Festival Fireworks

December 3 from 19:30 to 22:00 

Around Seibu Chichibu and Chichibu Stations.

The firework display of the Chichibu Night Festival is a special chance to see Japanese fireworks in winter. Second night's show is bigger and longer. 

From TRF we advice you not to miss the chance to see these beautiful festivals!

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