A dazzling display to excite the senses

They say that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Well, then, how many words do you think the photo here is worth? Too many to count, I reckon.

It would be futile to try to describe a fireworks display in Japan, for they are just something that you have to experience. They don’t come any more famous or incredible than the annual Sumida River Fireworks Festival in Tokyo. This year’s festival will be taking place soon on July 28 (Sunday).

A fixed feature of the Japanese summer going back to the Edo Period (1603-1868), hanabi or fireworks displays take place throughout the Japanese archipelago. Almost entirely free – except for some seating in stands located closest to the action – they are often enjoyed by tens of thousands of people.

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival started in 1732 as part of the festivals for the dead. By the mid-Edo period it became a competition to see which guild of firework engineers, either Tamaya or Kagiya, could impress the onlookers the most. Back then people would shout out the name of the guild whose fireworks they were most impressed with while watching the fireworks.

The popularity has increased over time so that now almost 1 million people gather on the banks of the river to enjoy this spectacular display. This year will see a total of 20,000 fireworks shot up towards the heavens.

In addition to all the colours that fill the nighttime sky are varying hues that you see closer to terra firma. Many women get dressed up for the occasion by wearing brightly coloured yukata (summer kimono), obi (belts) and geta (wooden clogs) – not to mention arming themselves with big fans to battle the summer heat.

Free, beautiful and oodles of fun, the Sumida River Fireworks Display is an event that no visitor to Tokyo should miss. Although time is short, Unique Japan Tours is here to help arrange a holiday in Japan that would allow you to experience this summer spectacular.

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Rocking it Fuji style

Summer is in full swing in Japan and that means one thing for music fans: Fuji Rock Festival. This year the festival will take place between July 27 and 29.

Although other popular music festivals do exist in Japan, nothing quite compares to Fuji Rock. After the festival moved in 1999 to its current location in Naeba, Niigata prefecture, approximately 150 miles northwest of Tokyo, the number of acts playing there has steadily increased. This year’s big-name acts will be the British band, Radiohead, who will be the headline act for the last day of the festival.

If you are a Liam Gallagher fan, then you will just have to go. The former Oasis singer will be playing with his new band, Beady Eye. British rock fans will also drool at the prospect of the recently reformed Stone Roses playing on the first day as the anchor act.

Liam’s brother, Noel will be on the main Green Stage on the middle day with his band, High Flying Birds.

Other “hot” acts to check out include the former White Stripes member, Jack White. His solo debut album “Blunderbuss” gave him his first no. 1 spot on the US Billboard charts.

Smaller though no less attractive stages include the likes of Sakanaction, Gossip, At The Drive-In and Purity Ring.

Unique Japan Tours is happy to announce that we are selling packages that include tickets to Fuji Rock and accommodation, so please be sure to contact us today!

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Japan’s festival season is off to a sizzling hot start

This is the time of the year where Japan braces itself for the upcoming summer temperatures and for another reason too – matsuri (festivals)!! Japan is the home to a whole smorgasbord of festivals that take place throughout the Japanese archipelago, each possessing its own distinctive history and tradition. But it is during the summer that some of the most exciting matsuri take place.

One of the most famous is Gion Matsuri, which is a month-long event  that takes place in July in Kyoto. The highlight of this celebration takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 17 when a parade of 32 floats make their way along the main streets of the city.  The floats are so colourfully ornate and exquisitely crafted by local craftsmen that they have been described as “floating art museums”. Sitting on top of these floats are children wearing traditional makeup and musicians playing a variety of instruments. As the procession slowly moves among the 3 kilometre route, you are sure to find a spot where you can gaze upon it in wonder.

For those of you who want to tap your feet and swing your arms in the air, you just have to go to the Awa Dance festival on the island of Shikoku. Japan’s largest dance festival, it attracts over 1.3 million tourists every year. While musicians play taiko drums, flutes, shamisen (lute) and kane (bell), groups of dancers and musicians called ren dance to highly choreographed pieces. Bedecked in traditional summer kimonos and distinctly local hats, the performers chant and swing as they make their way through the streets. You will be hard pressed to not join in!

Unique Japan Tours is running the Lost in Japan Tour that will travel to Shikoku for the Awa Dance Festival. The tour departs Osaka on August 10. Details can be found here: http://www.uniquejapantours.com/Small-Group-Tours/Lost-in-Japan

                                                                                                                            

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