Kurihama Perry Festival Fireworks

An annual affair in Kurihama, now a quiet seaside town on the Miura Peninsula south of Yokosuka, the Perry Festival commemorates the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry and his 'black ships' on July 14, 1853. The Americans' landing on the shores of Kurihama set in motion a chain of events that eventually led to the opening of Japan to foreign trade and, later, a rush towards national modernisation to avoid being bossed around by the Western powers. In the afternoon, you'll be able to shop for local produce and knickknacks at the bazaar and watch a parade (from 3pm) complete with marching bands and 'black ship' floats, while the fireworks show starts at 7.30pm and sees around 7,000 rockets – shot up at the beach.