10 Seasonal Fireworks in Kinki That You Shouldn't Miss

A fireworks festival held in Miyazuwan, famous for Amanohashidate, one of Japan's three most scenic spots. As the sun sets over the ocean, colorfully decorated ships of souls and 10,000 lanterns float out to sea, and the glittering of the red and white lights against the surface of the water creates a magical atmosphere. Then fireworks are launched, and the beautiful fireworks color the night sky until the Star Mine climax over the ocean. After the fireworks, the festival continues with a Bon dance competition, and crowds of people dance while enjoying the lingering memories of the fireworks.

The Inagawa Fireworks Festival is held over the Inagawa river. For the occasion, stands and food stalls are erected, giving the entire area a cheerful atmosphere as friends in yukata share shaved ice and fried noodles. When nightfall comes, the summer sky is lit up by rockets, and those who came early to reserve their seats are rewarded with a brilliant view.

A fireworks festival held on the banks of the Oigawa River about five minutes walk from JR Yagi Station, it used to be known as the "Yagi Fireworks Festival." It started in 1947, shortly after the end of the war, to commemorate those who died in the war, and this continues to this day with about 500 lanterns set afloat to create a magical atmosphere before the fireworks display. The festival mood is enhanced by an opening event, featuring song and dance, and a village of street stalls.

A "homemade" fireworks festival that was started in 1989 by local volunteers who loved the Yodogawa River. Today it is held on the Shin-Yodogawa River in early August every year and is a tradition of summer in Osaka. The collaboration of fireworks exploded under the surface of the river and Star Mines launched high into the night sky, and the dual performance of light and sound as multiple shakutama fireworks are launched all at once and synchronized with music make a wonderful sight. Also popular is a segment of novelty fireworks that make strange shapes or scatter in all directions.

A fireworks display held every summer in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. A variety of about 3,500 fireworks, such as Star Mines, rapid-fire fireworks, and gimmicks, are launched from a location of 300m offshore of Shirahama beach. A special feature of the display is that it is a fantastic production with a story and synchronized music and fireworks, and it attracts a lot of people. Above all, there is the Niagara which extends to a width of 1km, and the fantastic sight of a waterfall of light pouring into the sea like bunches of stardust is impressive, and invites the viewer to another world. On the day, there are also many stalls open around the venue.

A fireworks display that is a popular tradition to decorate the summer nights of Lake Biwa. About 10,000 fireworks are launched from barges floating off the lakeshore in Otsu Harbor, Shiga Prefecture. There are a wide variety of places from which to view the display, from the paid viewing area where fireworks are launched right in front of your eyes, the free admission civic center area, the somewhat distant Biwako Hall area, or the Nionohama area where you can watch at your leisure. There are also group tours for viewing from Lake Biwa Boat Race stadium. There are many dining options in the surrounding area, so you can also enjoy a meal before and after viewing.

Held in Kobe Harbor, this is Hyogo Prefecture's largest fireworks show. 10,000 Fireworks-including shakudama, starmines, and special trick fireworks-are launched against Port Island's night skyline. The fireworks are set off in Kita Park from Port Island to Harborland, so there are plenty of vantage points along the park to watch that provide a wide view of the show from a variety of angles. Though a bit removed from the action, the fireworks are also visible from Hyogo Futo.

The Tenjin-san is an extraordinary local flea market, held in and around the Tenmangu Shrine. Featuring over 1,000 stalls selling locals wares and second-hand goods ranging from antiques to kimono, the market has a cheerful energy to it. Locals especially enjoy the many food carts with fresh fruit, vegetables, and seafood, along with those that offer seasonal and hot dishes for sampling in between perusing wares. Held on the 25th of each month, the atmosphere is family-friendly and warmly inclusive.

A fireworks festival held at the Oigawaryokuchi-Higashi Park upstream of the Hozugawa Bridge, it is also known as "Kameoka Fireworks." Popular as an event where you can appreciate beautiful fireworks, many recommended by the Japan Pyrotechnics Association - such as rare selected fireworks, contests between Silver Dragons and Ultra Star Mines, and Mega Giant Star Mines that appear in the finale - it attracts people from far and wide. The venue surroundings are lined with lots of stalls, enveloping it in a lively atmosphere.

A fireworks festival that decorates the finale of the Tenjin Festival at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, which can boast more than 1,000 years of history. From two locations alongside the Ogawa (formerly Yodogawa) River - Sakuramiya Park and Kawasaki Park - about 4,000 fireworks are launched and color the night sky. Particularly popular are such unique items as the Plum Blossom, symbolic of Tenmangu Shrine, that opens the display and fireworks that spell out letters. Also the light of the fireworks glittering on the surface of the Ogawa River and the fleet of Funatogyo boats is magical.