Summer in Japan is synonymous with fireworks festivals, but Osaka’s biggest pyrotechnic display has been moved to October this year to coincide with the finale of the World Expo. The Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival is held along the Yodogawa River with a spectacular view of the city skyline in the background. The hour-long festival is split into five sections, each featuring a pair of songs played in sync with the fireworks.
Osaka is a lively city year-round, and it gets even more exciting in the summer when there are festivals abound. Many of our favourite seasonal celebrations are fireworks festivals; when vibrant explosions start lighting up the cloudless skies after sundown and the yukata-wearing crowds turn their heads towards the spectacle, that’s when you can get into a truly magical Japanese summer mood.
This year’s celebrations kick off with the Ise Shrine Dedication Fireworks Festival out in Mie on July 19 and include everything from classics (Tenjin Festival Fireworks, Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks) to a beachside favourite (Senshu Dream Fireworks) and a massive happening out in rural Kyoto (Kameoka Hozugawa).
So dust off your yukata, arrive early to secure the best viewing spot, and enjoy the colourful fireworks while snacking on some tasty festival grub.
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