Fireworks fire off the summer season at Yokohama

It seems summer has officially arrived. The first hanabi (fireworks) display of the season were fired up at Minato Mirai in Yokohama (about 30 minutes from Shibuya/Tokyo area) this past Saturday evening (06/02/07) with the aid of laser lights and music at the 26th 横浜開港祭 Yokohama Kaikosai Port Opening Festival.* Hanabi are a big part of Japanese summers, as are the colorful yukata (Japanese summer robes), beaches (Shirohama Beach at the Southern tip of the Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka-ken is my favorite), constant humming of the semi (cicadas) and the drenching humidity.

Although fireworks seem to happen all throughout the summer in Japan, back home in the States (in this case New York), fireworks only happen on couple occasions; with the main event being the annual Macy's Fourth of July Spectacular on Independence day. Grucci, a Long Island (New York) based fireworks company, is the main name when it comes to firework displays back in the States, but I've got a feeling those guys could probably pick up a pyrotechnic trick or two out here in Japan.

*The Ports of Yokohama were opened for trade with the outside world in 1859 and was the "origin of modernization" in Japan. June 2nd, 2009 will mark the 150th anniversary of the historical event and the city is currently setting the stage for that big date. I'm sure hanabi will be huge part of the action then as well.
_________________________________________________________