If you come to visit Japan during summer, get ready for the heat and steamy air, sometimes a sudden thunderstorm, lightening and rain. Tokyo summer is said to be hotter (average 33 to 36 degrees Celsius) than other cities in tropical countries, such as Singapore or Jakarta. Maybe it is due to crowded street and many high rise building that use air conditioning 24 hours non-stop, creating hot air from their exhaust system. It is, however, the most perfect time to enjoy one of the biggest fireworks you will ever see. Top firework makers display their latest development, usually includes an elaborated new shape, color, size and movement.
Last weekend we went to stay at a hotel in Asakusa just to enjoy the Sumida River Firework Festival. The festival started from 7 to 8:30 pm. This time other relatives from my husband's side also joined us in the trip, making a group of 12 people altogether.
This year, Sumida River Firework being the biggest firework held in Tokyo, attracted about 950,000 visitors. People watched from the street nearby, some from the river banks, others from the top of the buildings. Those worried about the noise or unable to leave their house, can watch a 90 minutes full coverage of the firework festival live on TV.
The day after firework festival, we rented a yakata-bune from 11 am to 2 pm, crusing Sumida River up to Tokyo Bay, floating at the Bay just near Odaiba, having lunch and drinking, enjoying a little party inside the yakata-fune.
Yakata-bune can be rented at reasonable price, from 120,000 Yen, which includes a 3 hour trips and lunch (sashimi and tempura - Japanese style or a Western style of buffet) for a minimum of 12 people. You can ride a yakata-bune which is open for public and pay by the number of people. The ride is fun and relaxing, when the sky is clear blue with a little wind. It can be pretty scarry when the weather is unpredictable, but then this is all part of the adventure.
Held every year on the third Saturday of July - don't miss it!
For other great photos of Fireworks at Sumida River, click below:
The boat looks amazing de-c. Do tourists go cruising with this boat as well? Or just the locals?
ReplyDeleteYes, you can hire a boat for a group of people or just join individual cruising around river in Tokyo. If interested, when you come here, i can help you book Pax :)
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