Japan’s 3 Best Fireworks Festivals
The summer is approaching day by day.
Now here in Niigata, Japan, the temperature is going up to 27 degrees Celsius, and the time to enjoy Japanese summer traditions is almost coming, which include fireworks.
During the summertime, fireworks festivals take place in various regions across the country, as shown in this list compiled by Wikipedia Japan.
Among those fireworks shows, have you ever heard of ones known as “Japan’s 3 Best Fireworks Festivals (日本三大花火大会)”?
The 3 Best Japanese Fireworks Festivals
In the Edo period (1603 – 1868), the country’s 3 best fireworks festivals were the fireworks displays of Mito (Ibaraki Prefecture), Ichikawa (Yamanashi), and Yoshida (Aichi).
Among them, the ones of Ichikawa and Yoshida have been passed down to today’s festivals respectively called “Shinmei Fireworks Festival (神明の花火大会)” (Youtube) and “Toyohashi Gion Festival (豊橋祇園祭)” (Youtube).
Incidentally, in modern times, the 3 best fireworks festivals are not the above but the following.
1. Omagari Fireworks (大曲の花火)
Source: Youtube【4K】第88回全国花火競技大会 大曲の花火2014 大会提供花火「Bolero」Omagari Hanabi
“Omagari Fireworks (大曲の花火)” is also called “National Fireworks Competition Convention (全国花火競技大会)”.
The festival is annually held on the fourth Saturday of August at the riverside area of the Omono river in Daisen City, Akita.
Omagari Fireworks is regarded as the most prestigious fireworks show in Japan for its history and tradition.
2. Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition (土浦全国花火競技大会)
Source: Youtube【4K60p】2017 土浦全国花火競技大会 大会提供花火「土浦花火づくし」
“Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition (土浦全国花火競技大会)” is one of the most famous fireworks shows in Japan and is known as one of modern-edition Japan’s 3 best fireworks festivals.
The event annually takes place on the first Saturday of October in Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
3. Nagaoka Fireworks Festival (長岡まつり大花火大会)
“Nagaoka Fireworks Festival (長岡まつり大花火大会)” is the fireworks show most familiar to me as I was born and raised in Niigata. In fact, I have been to the festival many times.
The event is annually held on August 2 and 3 in Nagaoka City, Niigata, and is famous nationwide, especially for the skyrocket fireworks called “Phoenix (フェニックス)”.
Phoenix has been launched every year praying for the recovery from the 2004 Mid Niigata Prefecture Earthquake.
