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'Like Watching Flowers Blooming at Night' Expats Reveal 5 Surprising Things About Japanese Fireworks Festivals

Niigata And Sado Japanese Festivals (Matsuri)

Fireworks displays are an indispensable part of Japan's summer traditions. However, in recent years, many have been canceled due to Covid-19. Japan is famous for its large-scale fireworks festivals, including the National Omagari Fireworks Festival in Akita Prefecture and the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival in Niigata Prefecture. These bright and beautiful displays of color have also captured people's hearts from all over the world. We asked foreign residents in Japan, "What surprised you the most about Japanese fireworks festivals?" And the responses were varied! Let's take a look and see what impressed and surprised people the most! (The following responses are the personal opinions and experiences of those who responded to our interview.)

What Are Yattai? Discover Japanese Festival Food Stalls Serving Up Classic and Trendy Street Food! (+Latest Covid-19 Measures)

Umeda, Osaka Station, Kitashinchi Japanese Festivals (Matsuri)
4 Seaside and Lakeside Vacation Rentals in Kansai that Look and Feel like Private Resorts!

Otsu, Kusatsu Vacation Homes
8 Summer Destinations for Marine Sports Near Osaka: Rafting, SUP, and Canoeing!

Osaka Suburbs Outdoor Activities
Atama Daibutsu: Mysterious Buddha Found in the Middle of a Hokkaido Lavender Field? Let’s Investigate!

Sapporo / Chitose Landmarks
Top 32 Things to Do in Tokyo: Recommended Bucket List Experiences & More!

Tokyo Station
28 Fun Things to Do in Osaka: Embrace These Activities On Your First Trip!

Umeda, Osaka Station, Kitashinchi Other Sightseeing

Sanriku Fireworks Competition 2021 (Oct 9): A Modern Way to Enjoy Fireworks

Other Surrounding Areas Of Iwate Shows

After the rehearsal last year in Iwate Prefecture’s Rikuzentakata City, the Sanriku Fireworks Competition will finally be held in 2021! Adding to the excitement is a new category where pyrotechnicians from a total of 23 fireworks companies throughout Japan will compete to see who has the best skills. Not limited to fireworks, the event will be further livened by local performances from various groups in the Sanriku area. What’s more, at the Sanriku Food Village, you can enjoy a variety of food stalls run by local restaurants. With the event offering top-tier entertainment in addition to fireworks, we highly recommend you to stop by the city of Rikuzentakata this fall! Photo Provided By: Sanriku Fireworks Competition Executive Committee

Nijigen no Mori (Awaji Island Anime Park) Guide: Enjoy the Worlds of Dragon Quest, Naruto, Godzilla, and Crayon Shin-chan

Awaji Island, Maiko Theme Parks
Coffee Paradise! Visiting Hit Japanese Coffee Chain % ARABICA Kyoto's Head Location in Higashiyama

Gion, Kawaramachi, Kiyomizu-dera Temple Other Cafes and Sweets
Hokkaido's Renovated Cloud-Viewing 'Unkai Terrace' Brings You To The Sky's Edge, Has 'Cloud Cafe'

Furano / Biei / Sounkyo Landscapes
This Japanese Dessert Shop is Offering Beautiful Cakes - in Vending Machine Drink Cans (Taste Test)

Sapporo / Chitose Cakes
Escape the Concrete Jungle! 5 Stunning Beaches on the Outskirts of Tokyo Perfect for Summer

Kanagawa Suburbs Beaches
5 Best Sunflower Fields Near Tokyo: Spectacular Scenic Views in Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Chiba (2021 Edition)

Tokyo's Surrounding Areas Other Nature

Become a True Gundam Pilot - Stepping into the P.O.D. at a Tokyo Arcade! (Video)

Arcades

Japan and robots go together like a hotdog and mustard. One of the nation’s most famous robot exports is known worldwide simply as “Gundam.” What started out as an anime has become a huge franchise with its own games, movies, and even a life-sized statue in Tokyo’s Odaiba. What many people don’t know, however, is that there is a way to pilot your very own Gundam robot!

Learn the Art of Flower Arrangement at Ohara School of Ikebana

Harajuku Other Traditional Arts
Purikura: Change Yourself Up with Photo Booth Fun!

Arcades
[MOVIE] DRUM TAO’S MANGEKYO – a Kaleidoscope of Taiko Drums

Shinagawa Shows
[MOVIE] Achieve Your Cosplay Dreams at Cosplay Studio Crown!

Akihabara Culture Experience
Stringraphy at Studio EVE: A Striking and Unique Musical Experience

Shibuya Other Contemporary Arts
[MOVIE] A Japanese Drum Experience at TAIKO-LAB

Shibuya Other Sightseeing

Cool Down in the Hot Summer! 10 Refreshing Places to Visit in Kyoto in Summer

Kyoto Station, To-ji Temple Shrines

Kyoto is a popular tourist destination both domestically and internationally. Situated in a basin surrounded by mountains, summers are hot and humid, and on many days the temperature exceeds 30°C. However, Kyoto also has cool summer destinations, including mountains, the seaside, and rivers. In addition to beautiful natural scenery, there are plentiful experiences and activities to get a feel for the city’s summer atmosphere. Here are 10 cool spots in Kyoto where you can beat the heat, from famous sites like Shimogamo Shrine, Tadasu-no-Mori, Kibune, and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest to less frequented areas away from the city.

25 Kyoto Highlights: See, Eat, and Shop Your Way Through Kyoto!

Kyoto Station, To-ji Temple Other Sightseeing
Top 10 Foods You Can Buy in an Osaka Supermarket: Take Home Dishes Loved by Locals as a Souvenir!

Umeda, Osaka Station, Kitashinchi Grocery Stores
How to Eat Sushi: the Complete Guide to Japan’s Most Famous Food

Sushi
Sweet Delights: Tokyo’s Top 5 All-You-Can-Eat Dessert Buffets

Shinjuku Other Cafes and Sweets
Things to Do in Hyogo: Sights and Foods for your First Trip to Kobe!

Kobe, Sannomiya, Kitano Downtown
Ultimate Kiyomizudera Temple Guide: Visiting Kyoto's Most Famous Sightseeing Spot!

Gion, Kawaramachi, Kiyomizu-dera Temple Shrines

7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson: An Insider’s Guide to Japan’s Three Giant Convenience Stores!

Asakusa

From busy downtown areas to sleepy rural villages, convenience stores are a common sight in Japan, open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. The three big names of Japanese convenience stores are 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson, dominating the city centers. You won’t only find snacks, boxed lunches, and freshly brewed coffee but also alcoholic drinks, everyday items, and a lot more in these stores. During the night, they even act as a drop-in spot for the police and services like mail reception, ATMs, multifunctional printers, and free-to-use toilets make convenience stores indispensable for Japanese daily life. But what is the difference between the difference convenience stores? We’re taking a thorough look at Japan’s “Big Three” and their different services, brands, and more.

Kamakura Day Trip Ideas: Trainspotting and traveling along the quaint Enoden Railway!

Kamakura Other Townscapes
5 Reasons Why Japan Is Said To Be Beautiful

Akihabara
10 Reasons Why We Love 'Shitamachi', Tokyo’s Traditional Downtown Areas!

Asakusa Old Towns (Shitamachi)
Guide to Sapporo (Japan): Top Places for Sightseeing, Food and Shopping!

Sapporo / Chitose Downtown
Best Things to See and Do in Hakodate, Hokkaido's Picturesque Town!

Hakodate Downtown
Visiting a Japanese Shinto Shrine – Everything You Need to Know, Step by Step! (Video)

Ueno Shrines

Definitive Travel Guide to Hokkaido: Sightseeing, Transport, Food, and More!

Sapporo / Chitose Other Sightseeing

Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, is a vast sightseeing paradise popular with both Japanese and international travelers. From spring to summer, an incredible array of colorful flowers bloom, while autumn sees stunning fall foliage and winter with luscious, white snow, making each season a completely different encounter. Hokkaido is also renowned as a foodie destination, with a tapestry of distinctive dishes changing between region and season. In this complete guide to Hokkaido, we will introduce essential information and tips to ensure a successful trip, including the island’s most famous spots, seasonal sightseeing, must-eat dishes, and how to get around. Read on to make sure your Hokkaido itinerary is up to scratch!