It’s Hanabi (fireworks) season in Japan!
Posted by: kirin on 
Jul 28th, 2010 | 
Filed under: What's New?
One of the great things to live in Japan is that we have 4 seasons every year. Having lived in Japan for over 30 years it’s nothing new to me by now to have Hanabi season but I suppose things look so different once I fall in love with someone and go out for a date to see Hanabi together. lol Seasonal evens are somehow so much fun especially when new romance starts. What? My hubby? No, it’s too stable as we’ve been together for over 10 years. He’s like a best friend, good buddy, and even the best business partner to me by now. (It’s so far from new romance, right?) lol
No matter how you are in love with someone or not, I believe Hanabi Taikai (fireworks show) is one of the most exciting/romantic/fun events during this period in Japan. Then how do we know when these events take place?
Search Hanabi Taikai near your place if you visit Japan during summer!
-Walker plus
-Rurubu
-Jalan
Speaking of Hanabi, it’s something for summer in Japan. You may feel more familar with new year’s fireworks in your country but in Japan, Hanabi definitely evokes a summery image. Hanabi, Yukata, ping sound from a Fuurin (=wind-bell), burning smell from Katorisenkou (=pyrethrum coil), ceaseless buzz of cicadas…these are typical things that evoke an image of Japanese summer. But these days as it’s getting too hot and our city life keeps us away from these sentimental items. We live in concrete with air-con running almost 24 hours a day.
Anyhow, followings are some Hanabi-themed J-pop that the Japanese like to sing or listen to.
“Hanabi” by Mr. Children
“Kingyo Hanabi” by Ai Otsuka
“Hanabi” by Ayumi Hamasaki
“Hanabi” by Ikimono Gakari
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July 28th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Hi Kirin, thanks for a great post as always! Although I'm very familiar with hanabi (love going!!), the songs were new to me.
(Although it's probably not dark enough at night for fireworks here in the middle of summer… :$)
In my hometown we have a festival every August, and part of that festival is the Swedish 'musical fireworks show' Championship. Different companies compete with fireworks coordinated to go up according to different melodies. It's really fun! I don't actualy know how they decide the winner, but that's not so important for me I guess, hehe! ^^
Otherwise the other big time is New Years, but it's too cold! I definitely prefer the concept of hanabi/fireworks in the summer when it's warm and you can be outside to enjoy it.
July 28th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
I just wanted to let you know that I discovered your blog yesterday and it ranks easily as one of my favorites, I love your perspective!
I love your coverage of all the kawaii stores.
July 28th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
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Love your blog entries!
July 28th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Ah, I know all of those songs except the Mr. Children one. I will have to listen to it!
Fireworks go along with the summer too here in the US (the cicadas too!), as we have Independence Day in July. I think it mostly makes people think of grilling hamburgers and hotdogs. But its just that one day, so there is a difference there (and in other things, of course!).
July 29th, 2010 at 1:15 am
It sounds so interesting to see how hanabi is combined with other culture~. I want to locate myself in some different countries and explore new hanabi experience myself! I had enough, too much of Japanese one, already.
July 29th, 2010 at 1:22 am
Oh good, you know what? If you have enough time to read this blog (old posts and pages) you may be able to participate in the free giveaway contest now. It's still open until it closes 4th of August. http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/4931
July 29th, 2010 at 1:24 am
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Thank you for your comment.
July 29th, 2010 at 1:28 am
Oh really? The cicadas too? ^ ^; I think they are not in New York though because when I worked with New Yorkers in Tokyo during last summer they asked me what that bugs that are making noises. Maybe that was way too much? ^ ^;
July 29th, 2010 at 1:54 am
Yes, here in Oklahoma you can here them all the time in the summer. Whenever I leave work in the evenings it sounds like there are thousands of them in the woods outside of the building where I work.
July 29th, 2010 at 5:42 am
T__T Ayu-chan's Hanabi always makes me cry because it's so sad!!! Too sad to listen to when you are looking at real hanabi!! >_< I loveeee her! <3
Well, it's summer 356 days here in Malaysia so there isn't anything special in these few months hahaha. But we get lots of Hanabi for our different festivals. We have Chinese New Year, Diwali and Hari Raya. and a lot more other festivals!! Major shopping malls will display hanabi during these times and it's always fun to watch especially if we live in a higher floor apartment and near to a shopping mall. ^^ The fasting month is coming and soon the Hari Raya will approach! We can get Hanabi soon!!! and lots of yummy Malay food! ;D
July 29th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Hee… My friends kept hanabi for us until we went over for our honeymoon in november! They thought the neighbours would be really amused to see people playing with hanabi during winter, instead of summer! We had a really great time! n_n
Side note: I've finally watched the last episode of Shinzamono! Wonderful ending. n_n I'm immensely satisfied! Banzai, Japanese drama! Haha…
July 29th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
In Melbourne (lived there for 2 years), there is an annual festival called Moomba Waterfest. There're big floats along and on the river. On opening and closing nights, there's fireworks. The fireworks shoot out from everywhere (including top of buildings, and from the floats on the river). They're beautiful~
Sadly where I live now (Singapore), we only get to see fireworks on National Day, and they're nowhere compared.
Would love to read more about your country's cultures and festivals! Keep the entries coming~
July 29th, 2010 at 11:49 pm
OK~, I'll try to include some cultural posts…^ ^; hehe…actually I learned from the giveaway entry emails that many people like that. Thank you for telling me that.
July 29th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
LOL same as here~~, everywhere. Yesterday Pi-chan was playing with it and it looked so funny. ^ ^
July 29th, 2010 at 11:53 pm
Sounds fun! ^ ^ Lot of yummy Malay food! Your food is really yummy, I love it.
July 29th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
I've never played with hanabi in any other season but summer, but it'll be fresh if I did in winter. ^ ^
So…now you have the CD too? You know you can be familiar with J-dramas and music even more than me. haha ^ ^
July 30th, 2010 at 6:35 am
I love your blog information, whatever you say that about hanabi is purely true. I never want to forget all memories of it. Very nice place
July 10th, 2011 at 9:16 am
I'm visiting Tokyo once again this month and for sure Hanabi is one of my things to do…
Eng'r. Roger Gomez / Japan Electric
July 10th, 2011 at 9:19 am
thanks a lot for your information…
July 10th, 2011 at 11:30 am
Hope you enjoy it. ^ ^
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