Mini Post: Summer Fireworks

Fireworks season is almost upon us!
During the hot summer nights, everyone heads to different cities around Ibaraki to enjoy an amazing display of fireworks. Here is a list of the different fireworks events coming up in Ibaraki.

Mito Kairakuen Fireworks Festival

When: Saturday, July 27th

Where: Senba Lake
https://maps.app.goo.gl/sqq6iuQJ2eWKtMXq8

Time: 19:30-20:30

Enjoy an hour-long fireworks show right by the lake. The sky above Senba Lake lights up and the lake mirrors the fireworks so you get two shows going on at the same time. A lot of festival food and stalls around the lake for your snacking pleasure. Don't miss this awesome fireworks event!

Hitachi Kawarago Fireworks Festival

When: Saturday, August 3rd

Where: Hitachi Kawarago Port
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FiSE6aNae6otiEtL8

Time: 19:30-20:00

Around 2,500 fireworks are launched at Kawarago Port for a spectacular show by the sea. The area around the port should have all types of festival food and games for everyone to enjoy. If they are open, I highly recommend checking out Beach Burger 9 at Kawarago Beach.

Toride Tone River Fireworks

When: Saturday, August 10th

Where: Toride Green Park
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NzJ6F3yXK9wAFpQP9

Time: 19:00-20:20

Get ready to experience 7,000 fireworks lighting up the night sky over Japan's second-largest river, the Tone River. Lay down a picnic blanket by the river and enjoy the show. Food stalls should be up and down the river. Get yourself some takoyaki while watching the show.

Hitachinaka Festival Fireworks

When: Saturday, August 17th

Where: Launch Point Self Defense Force Base Katsuta
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gKc5MVEwddw16fby5

Time: 19:30-20:30

Hitachinaka has a spectacular fireworks show in mid-August. The fireworks are launched from the self defense force base in Hitachinaka but you can see the fireworks all around the city. The main street, Tamariba street will have food and drinks for the event. If you would like a comfortable place to sit, Higashi Ishikawa Ground park has a huge grassy area for you to enjoy the fireworks.
If you are still in Hitachinaka the next day, the main festival will be in full swing!

Ushiku Daibutsu Fireworks

When: Saturday, August 17th

Where: Ushiku Daibutsu
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4hpGWKxUm9kkdbku9

Time: 19:00-20:30

Have you ever seen fireworks explode over the Buddha's head? You can experience that if you head over to Ushiku Daibutsu for their amazing fireworks show. Before the fireworks, the Buddha is lit up by searchlights and there is a prayer by the local monks. Once the prayer is over, that is when the fireworks start to fly. This is a great fireworks show and a great way to center yourself while watching an amazing fireworks display.

I hope this small list helps you decide which fireworks to check out this summer.
If any information on these events has changed, I will upload the new information ASAP.

Here is a list of the canceled fireworks events in Ibaraki:
Daigo Fireworks and Lantern Festival
Namegata's Sunset Festa (Canceled in 2023, no new info for this year)
Shimotsuma Sunauma Fireworks (Canceled in 2023, no new info for this year)

Enjoy the fireworks events everyone! I will be at some of these enjoying some festival food while watching some magical fireworks.

I hope to come out with a Matsuri list in early July.
Please look forward to this Friday's new post. It is going to be breadtastic!