Summer festival season in July- August is much anticipated in Japan and the accompanying fireworks displays are truly sensational. Hamamatsu and Lake Hamana are the venue for many such festivals in summertime and the sight of fireworks displays colouring the lake and sky are something to behold. Japanese fireworks are unique in that they are round so no matter what angle they are viewed from they look incredible, allowing many people to enjoy them at once. The on-lake fireworks are set on floating pontoons in the middle of the lake, and remotely ignited, giving an incredible visual effect. Don your geta sandals and yukata (Japanese summer kimono like robe) and take to the streets, for the light show of a lifetime.
This year, a great many of the anticipated festivals will not be taking place due to the COVID19 pandemic, however spirits of locals will be uplifted by the special few that are scheduled to go ahead. Our top pick is this spectacular onlake fireworks festival.
Mikkabi Fireworks Festival- August 14 (Sun), 2022
This on-lake star mine fireworks festival, is usually the major event to mark the end of a longer fireworks festival. The fireworks spread across the surface of the lake in a half-sphere, combining with their reflections on the surface of the lake enlarging the view of the fireworks and are the highlight of the show.
And here are some of the many returning highlights to anticipate for future years:
July
- Benten-jima Fireworks Festival – the season opener, usually goes ahead rain or shine!
- Enshu Arai Tezutsu hanabi (Hand-held fireworks) Festival- also not weather dependent,
with a history of over 260 years and dedicated to the Suwa Shrine. Known as the “Festival of the Sea Route” in which hundreds of Tezutsu fireworks are launched.
August
- Kanzanji Onsen Lantern Floating and Fireworks Festival- see thousands of lanterns floating on Lake Hamana, whilst colourful fireworks light up the sky, the loud explosions reverberate from Mt. Okusa on the opposite shore.
- Fireworks Festival of Fukuroi Enshu- “The National Pyrotechnician Competition”, is a program in which selected pyrotechnicians from around the country compete against each other. This show is one of the largest and most gorgeous, featuring fireworks such as mid-air “Niagara” and “Star mines”.
And many more…
