Tamagawa Hanabi

Fireworks are a big deal in Japan. There are thousands of firework displays to choose from during Summer from mid July till the end of August. Here is a handy calender to some of the more popular events - Hanabi Calender. People get dressed up in traditional clothing and take picnics down to watch the fun.

On Saturday we went to the Tamagawa Hanabi, along the river near Futako Tamagawa station (Denentoshi line) about 15 minutes from Shibuya station. The Tamagawa Hanabi is a fireworks competition along the river between two rival cities. This year it was Kawasaki City vs. Setagaya.

Getting dressed in our yukata and jinbei, ready for some summer festival time.

 
 We arrived at about 3:30pm and found a spot to settle in for the evening. With our blue tarps, beers and snacks we were all sorted.

The crowds arriving in the afternoon, getting ready for the fireworks show from 7pm till 8pm.

Bit of last minute hairdressing by the young girls sitting in front of us.

And once the fireworks began, they were pretty spectacular. Excuse the blurry shots, I only had my camera phone with me.

I was impressed at how well organized and well behaved it was. (I know, I know, I should know better by now, it is Japan after all!) Considering the size of the crowd it was surprisingly easy to wait about 45 minutes till after the fireworks had finished, good time to finish of the remaining beers, and then walk up to the train station. 

We got straight onto a train, it was pretty squishy but not unbearable and were home again in less than an hour. (Or for some of our more energetic friends, they dropped their stuff home and went onto the nightclubs and stayed out till 6am). Good time had by all. Just wish they had a few more portaloos, half hour wait was a bit of killer.