Every summer, thousands of fireworks transform the night sky into a dazzling array of kaleidoscopic colors at one of the many Hanabi Taikais or fireworks displays that take place throughout Japan.

The word for fireworks in Japanese is hanabi, which translates as fire-flowers. Originating in the Edo period, fireworks were used as part of the celebrations at the summer festivals that honor different deities that are believed to protect the Japanese people. Since then, these fireworks displays have grown into a major spectator sport for the Japanese who will dress up in yukatas, or traditional lightweight Japanese kimonos, and camp out hours in advance just to secure a prime viewing spot for the pyrotechnic extravaganza.

In order to make the most out of the major fireworks festivals in and around the Tokyo area, here are some helpful tips that every fireworks aficionado should take note of.

1. Choosing the right venue:

There is at least one, if not more, major fireworks festival every weekend throughout the summer, making the decision to select which one to go to somewhat daunting. When choosing which fireworks display to attend be sure to research a bit in advance and find out how many fireworks will be displayed, which will help gauge the scale of the event. For the latest up-to-date information on the various fireworks show click here. Please remember that the festivals with the most number of fireworks, such as the Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Festival, are typically the biggest draw, which means they are also the most crowded.

2. Avoiding Crowds:

Though Japanese fireworks displays are renowned for being the most extravagant in the world, they are also equally as well known among the most crowded events around. As such, if you have a car, don’t take it. Instead, take public transportation. Not only is parking very difficult to find, but when you are trying to go home after the event, you will be stuck in traffic because of the massive crowds of people pouring out into the streets. After arriving via public transportation, in order to avoid being crushed in the throng of revelers pushing their way forward trying to get a better view, there are several things you can do. If you can, arrive several hours early and explore the neighborhood where the fireworks show is to take place. Try to book reservations well in advance at a nearby restaurant that has a view or, if the fireworks are being launched by a river or beach, check to see if you are able to get reservations on a boat. For instance, one opulent way to obtain a private bird’s eye view of the Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Festival is to watch it from a yakatabune, which is an old-fashioned Japanese houseboat (http://www.funasei.com/fsei_english.htm). This way, you will be able to observe the fireworks lighting up the night-time sky against the backdrop of Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower while dining on tasty tempura.

3. Securing a good seat:

If, on the other hand, you would prefer to join the thousands of people watching from the streets to experience an authentic Japanese hanabai takai up close, there are several items you should bring to make sure you have a great night out.

• Purchase entry tickets and arrive well in advance: Check if you have to pay an entrance fee to get into the nearby grounds. For instance, you can buy tickets for a reserved seat in the Meiji Jingu Gaien Sports ground for the Jingu Gaien Fireworks.
• Bring a folding chair or a plastic sheet to sit down on.
• Take along some drinks since it may be difficult to make your way to a refreshment stand or vending machine.
• Insect spray is a must bring item since most of the firework displays take place near or on water.
• Purchase your return train ticket beforehand to avoid having to stand in the long lines after the festival is finished.
• Bring a hand fan to cool yourself if there happens to be no breeze
• Ask the locals where the best place to observe the fireworks is since they are knowledgeable on where the best spots are. Also, it is better to avoid being in the direction of the wind since the smoke from the fireworks could cloud your view.
• Try to avoid sitting by the stands and street lights since they can obscure your view.

4. Yukatas

The term yukata comes from the word “yu” or bath and “katabira” or underclothing. Originally donned thousands of years, by the Japanese nobility after bathing, currently yukatas are a popular piece of clothing worn by men, women and children attending the fireworks festivals. Unlike kimonos, which are made of silk, yukatas are made of lightweight cotton and can be found in an astounding array of colors and patterns that will suit even the most trendy and fashion forward fashionistas. It takes a little practice to wear the traditional garb properly as it is wrapped around the body and then intricately tied into place by a matching obi or belt, but with a bit of trial and error even a complete novice can master the technique. Yukatas range in price and can be found in high-end department stores and specialized boutiques as well as large retailers such as Uniqlo. Also, if you wish, wear geta, traditional wooden sandals, to go with your yukatas. Geta too can be purchased at the previously mentioned places.

Whether, you are planning to attend a Japanese fireworks festival for the first time or are a regular visitor to the hanabi scene, by following these simple tips you will be able to increase your enjoyment of this traditional Japanese pastime. Have a happy fire-flower viewing summer!

Written by Erika Wiseberg

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Tags: fireworks, hanabi, yukata

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 at 14:38 and is filed under You Should Know. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.