Yodogawa Fireworks Festival

An excited crowd clad in their best Yukatas, the smell of grilled sausages from the street vendors, sounds of excitement and thrill from kids sitting on their parent’s shoulders, anxiously waiting for the next masterpiece painted on the dark summer sky. Held on the first Saturday of August every year, the annual Yodogawa Fireworks Festival is ranked among the top 10 most popular fireworks in the Kansai region, and this is indeed one of the most awaited events in Osaka. This event started in 1989 and has close to 500,000 people watching the massive display of fireworks. You’ll be awed by the creativity of firework craftsmen who designed the various fireworks that decorate the dark summer sky. Together with the crowds who came from all over Japan, you are connected for that moment, like you are a part of a big family, eagerly waiting for the next launch of firework into the sky. You can see the fireworks from many different places if you want to enjoy the rare experience of being totally immersed in the Japanese festive mood; I personally recommend you sit by Yodogawa on either side with the sweaty packed crowd. All the uneasiness of being sardined in the crowd of the night just disappears when you see children clapping their hands and stamping their little feet with every firework released. The fireworks start at slightly before 8 pm but to beat the crowd and get yourself a good spot, I would urge you to come to reserve your place at least one or 2 hours before. Come earlier to be delighted by the unique Japanese festival food and picnic by the river. If you want to be sure of a spectacular view, there are also reserved seats with tickets priced at 2,500 yen for a standing seat, and up to 8,000 yen per person for a seat complete with a bento picnic box and chilled drinks. My personal favorites are the fireworks that flow like waterfalls from the sky. I also like special that portrays famous Japanese comic characters of Hello Kitty and Doraemon. Look out, especially for the climax of the day — with non-stop shots of the sky that lasts about 10 seconds. The night feels like daylight and you will surely be moved by the 50 minutes long gigantic panorama of the summer sky.