Visit Japan, Travel Japan, Discover Japan: 07/2013

7/31/2013

The Best Firework Festival in Japan (Video Version 1)

The best part of the Nagaoka firework festival is its dynamic exhibition style.

At most firework festivals, a single firework is mainly shot off and a set of consecutive fireworks is occasionally exploded every 10 minutes or so. On the other hand, “Nagaoka Hanabi” is totally opposite.

A set of several fireworks frequently go up in the night sky at the same time. Approximately 60-70% of the show consist of that all-at-once spectacles. That makes this event outstanding among other firework festivals in the country.

Very exciting, energetic, spectacular, magnificent,,, ahh whatever,,, words mean nothing to describing this festival. You’ll see it when you see it !!

FYI:

Nagaoka Firework Festival Facebook Page (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/nagaoka.hanabi
Nagaoka Firework Internet Show: http://nagaoka-ust.com/English
Fireworks in Japan: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2267.html

7/30/2013

The Best Firework Festival in Japan

Nagaoka City of Nigata is famous for their annual firework festival held in August. Just 1 word I can say, AWESOME !!.

The best of the best fireworks I've ever seen in my life. I can't describe how awesome it is by writing. It's definitely a must-see event.

I actually went there last year and this years' event will be held this weekend. If you can’t physically make it, check their internet live show at http://nagaoka-ust.com/English

I believe it'll be still good.

By the way, Fireworks in Japanese is “Hana-bi” The direct translation becomes “Fire Flowers”. I think fire flowers sound more romantic and beautiful, don't they?

FYI:

Nagaoka Firework Festival Facebook Page (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/nagaoka.hanabi
Nagaoka Firework Internet Show: http://nagaoka-ust.com/English
Fireworks in Japan: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2267.html

Before the party @ downtown Nagaoka.

Ready to go

People and the moon are ready to rock, too.

Here we go!

Unfortunately my camera wasn't good enough to catch these beautiful works.

Sigh...

7/29/2013

Panoramic View of Downtown Yamagata in the Day Time

The city looks different than at twilight (see also: Panoramic View of Downtown Yamagata)

FYI:

Yamagata City: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamagata,_Yamagata
Travel Info of Yamagata: http://wikitravel.org/en/Yamagata_(prefecture)
Yamagata Prefecture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamagata_Prefectur

Eastwards

Eastwardas

Westwards

Southwards

Northwards

7/26/2013

Green and Blue - Kaneyama Town, Yamagata. Vol. 3

There are high mountains on the north side of Kaneyama town. Meanwhile vast plain fields lie in the rest of the area, mostly used as rice fields. Nice beautiful contrast between two.

FYI:

Kaneyama Town: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaneyama,_Yamagata
Travel Info of Kaneyama: http://www.town.kaneyama.yamagata.jp/kanko/ (Japanese Only)

Famous mountain of the region, Mt. Chokai, is
barely visible in the deep back of the pic.
FYI: Mt. Chokai http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Ch%C5%8Dkai

7/25/2013

Retro is good. Kaneyama Town, Yamagata. Vol. 2

Retro downtown of Kaneyama, Yamagata.

The town has been free of municipal integration and hasn't changed its city limits for about 90 years since it was formed. Very rare case for a small town in Japan. Seems like they have the strong community identity and pride.

FYI:

Kaneyama Town: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaneyama,_Yamagata
Travel Info of Kaneyama: http://www.town.kaneyama.yamagata.jp/kanko/ (Japanese Only)

7/24/2013

Retro is good. Kaneyama Town, Yamagata.

The town of Kaneyama, located in the north end of Yamagata Prefecture, is famous for its landscape setting in the downtown area. They encourage residents to build a retro style houses with financial support. Interesting.

FYI: