Fukuoka Ohori Park Hanabi Taikai, The Fireworks Competition

I don't know about you, but I love Fireworks.

Back in Germany we only get to see these very rarely, mostly only for New Year, but here in Japan Fireworks are a more regular Thing.

All Year round you are able to buy Fireworks at Convenient Stores and other Places, but especially so in Summer.

Nothing better than a Beach Party with your Friends and a little Firework of your own making afterwards, ain't it?

Hanabi have a long Tradition in Japan, first used to ward off Evil Spirits and then more and more for Entertainment. The Japanese love Fireworks, it just perfectly fits their Understanding of Beauty.

Similar to the cherry Blossoms in March, the perfect Beauty for a few moments and then gone without a trace. the short lived Beauty holds a special meaning in the mind of the Japanese. Remember the Movie Last Samurai?

"The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life." as Katsumoto said.

The biggest Fireworks in Fukuoka are usually happening on the 1st of August, the Ohori Kohen Hanabi Taikai, what roughly translates to Ohori Park Fireworks Competition. This Year was the 54th Anniversary of said Event.

For about 1h and 30 minutes the Sky will be lit up and explode all around you, as several Firework Companies "battle" for the best Show.

The Park itself will be fully accessible, just the Island in the middle of the Park Lake will be off Limits.

But be either very very very early, the Fireworks start at 8PM, or find a different, better Location to enjoy the Light-Show.

The Park is packed with Japanese starting Lunchtime to early Afternoon.

My Recommendation would be to either have or find a Friend who lives close by or alternatively rent a Hotel Room with View of the Park, preferably with a nice Balcony.

Good for Me, that my Apartment Balcony is facing Ohori Park, so i can just relax, invite a few Friends and take in the view from my Place. Of course while enjoying a nice cold Beer, Summer in Japan is humid and hot.......and i mean "Help, I am melting!!!" kinda hot.

If you have the Chance to reserve yourself a Spot in the Park, just be early and take a Blanket with you. Place it at your desired free Spot and wait there till the Happening. Also the perfect Chance to show off your Yukata, as many Japanese will do the same. As a Foreigner, especially western looking, in a Yukata, You are bound to draw Attention.

Here a short Movie I took:

Another advantage of watching it from the Park itself, are undoubtedly the many Festival Stalls.

There will be a whole Matsuri going on there, Festival, with Food Stalls, Gambling Ones and of course lots of Refreshments. But be warned, the Amount of People there will be just crazy.

If you get the Chance to visit Japan,

here are a few Dates and Places of other Fireworks to enjoy:

Omagari National Fireworks Competition

Fourth Saturday in August from 17:30 (August 27, 2016) Along the Marukogawa River, a 15 minute walk from Omagari Station, Akita Prefecture

Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition

First Saturday in October from 18:00 to 20:30 (October 1, 2016) Along the Sakuragawa River, a 30 minute walk from Tsuchiura Station, Ibaraki Prefecture

Nagaoka Fireworks

August 2 and August 3 from 19:25 to 21:10 Along the Shinano River, a 20 minute walk from Nagaoka Station, Niigata Prefecture

Osaka Tenjin Fireworks

July 25 from 19:00 to 21:00 Along the Ogawa River around Osakajo Kitazume, Osaka Tenmangu, Tenmabashi and Sakuranomiya Stations

Miyajima Fireworks

One evening in mid August from 19:40 to 20:40 (August 11, 2016) Miyajima Island around Itsukushima Shrine

Chichibu Night Festival Fireworks

December 3 from 19:30 to 22:00 Around Seibu Chichibu and Chichibu Stations

Lake Toyako Fireworks

Every day from late April to October from 20:45 to 21:05 (April 28 to October 31, 2016) Toyako Onsen, Hokkaido

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