Summer in Japan is all about kimonos, fans and fireworks. There really are few better ways to beat the heat than getting outdoors in a light cotton robe, eating and ton of festival grub and settling in to watch pictures being painted on the black night sky. And although fireworks festivals themselves are nothing out of the ordinary here in Japan, the blast that brought Kumano City’s Hanabi Taikai fireworks festival to a close this year was truly spectacular, with the excited crowd’s countdown to the final moment immediately followed by gasps and cheers almost as loud as the explosion itself. Check out the epic firework in all its glory after the jump.
The Mie-Prefecture city’s annual firework festival took place on August 18 this year, with thousands of visitors squeezing onto every inch of Shichiri Mihama beach, which is covered with large, smooth rocks just perfect for lounging around on.
With more than 10,000 fireworks, boats travelling at full speed across the sea in front of the beach drop the miniature explosives in their wake, only narrowly avoiding the explosions themselves, making Kumano’s display one of the most exciting and original there is. The star of the show, however, is the 250kg goliath of a firework that brings the ceremonies to a close, and is detonated on a raft a few hundred metres out to sea. Check it out in the following video.
Let’s see that again, shall we?
▼ The crowd is told to prepare for the big one as a shower of lights zips through the air like a scene from an old-school shoot ’em up. They begin to count down from 10…
▼ BOOM! The monster firework explodes, sending streaks of white and green light out in 180 degrees.
▼ The wave of green light explodes from the core.
▼Until the sky is lit red by the falling lights.
▼ Which turn into a sea of green stars on a still black canvas. Simply beautiful.
We know where we’re heading next summer! Let us know if you have any other recommendations for fireworks festivals in Japan in the comments section below.
Images/video via YouTube kappahakase01
Here are all of the reasons why you should go to Kumano, Mie Prefecture, for summer sightseeing
Amazingly beautiful animated fireworks show Japan’s fireworks are on a whole other level【Videos】
Braving a Japanese national fireworks competition with 10x more people than the city population
Let’s go! Japan’s best fireworks festival is waiting for you!【Photos】
Secret fireworks festivals take place across Japan to lift spirits during coronavirus crisis【Pics】
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Japan’s prime minister exchanges Dragon Ball kamehamehas with president of France[Video]
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Starbucks Japan unveils epic Frappuccino hunt with five to find in new Star birthday campaign
Tokyo teahouse serves up a sakura matcha dessert you won’t find anywhere else
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Samurai luxury — Renovated 400-year-old ryokan near Chiba’s coast can be yours to rent【Photos】
Why is Yoshinoya called Yoshinoya?
Japan’s new difficult-to-drink-from beer glass protects your liver, but it’s a brutal experience
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Totoro and Calcifer become little light-up lanterns for Ghibli-style excursions or at-home decor
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Celebrate summer in style with a cold drink in these color-changing firework glasses【Video】
Giant Disney characters appear in the night sky of Japan’s Tochigi Prefecture【Photos】
Final Fantasy XIV fireworks show celebrates 10 years with 14,000 fireworks, drone art, and music
Japanese city changes into beautiful Spirited Away lookalike once a year, and it’s happening now
Here’s where to find all of Japan’s new Pikachu Pokémon manhole covers in Yokohama【Photos, maps】