5 Events in Hiroshima Prefecture That You Shouldn't Miss

The Onomichi Sumiyoshi Fireworks festival is a traditional event that began in the middle of the Edo period as a prayer for safe passage by sea and success in business. Around 13,000 fireworks are set off from a barge in the Onomichi Channel of the Inland Sea, including bold chrysanthemum and extravagant water-level fireworks, as well as hayauchi (a launch method that involves dropping fireworks into a tube in rapid succession) fireworks. The show is particularly noteworthy for its synchronization with a soaring musical accompaniment. The traditional passage of the mikoshi (portable shrine) over the waters before the fireworks festival is also not to be missed. With the setting of the sun, the mikoshi holding the shintai (object of worship that contains the deity) departs from Sumiyoshi Shrine in a royal boat, crossing the Onomichi Channel flanked by paper lantern boats.

The Miyajima Fireworks festival is held off the coast of the Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The display offers around 5,000 fireworks launched in rapid succession, full of intense chrysanthemum bursts and no. 10 (5.5-Inch diameter) shells. This display prominently features water-level fireworks, with around 100 of the 200 no. 10 Shells launched at the water, brightly coloring the horizon and the water surface. The Great Torii rising out of the ocean and main temple building illuminated by the light of the fireworks results in a magical scene that has earned rave reviews from amateur photographers.

The Ebisu Taisai is a 3-day autumn festival that takes place throughout Ebisu Shrine in celebration of Ebisu, the god of wealth and commerce. It is one of the three largest festivals in Hiroshima. This year, the festival will be pairing up with the stores of the local shopping district, which will be putting on large bargain sales called "Ebessan" (Ebisu) or "Ebisu-kou" (in honor of Ebisu) to coincide with the festivities. For the duration of this popular festival, Ebisu-dori (Ebisu Street) and Chuo-doori (Main Street) will be lined with vendors selling lucky bamboo rakes.

The Kure Sea Fireworks festival is held annually on a stage set in Kure Harbor from the beginning of July to the beginning of August, and is popular as a quintessential Kure summer event. Around 4,000 fireworks are launched in the display, with the might of 14 cm (5.5 Inch) shells bursting into giant blossoms across the night sky. During the day of the festival there is an event at the Maritime Self Defense Force base in Kure Harbor with live music and sailing trips open to the public. After the event, the base is opened up for the fireworks display.

The Hiroshima Minato Yume Fireworks festival is a fireworks display with the theme of "dreams" (yume). Noted workshops with awards from well-known competitive fireworks meets have fireworks featured in this event. There will also be water-level fireworks, chrysanthemum bursts, no. 10 Shells (5.5 Inches in diameter) and lovely ceramics fireworks in this diverse display, making for an event full of memorable moments.