Summer in Japan can be incredibly hot, humid and unbearable. However, it is also the best time to be there to witness the spectacular festivals (matsuri) and fireworks (hanabi).
We were lucky on our last trip there last summer, we were able to catch the ends of Japan’s largest festival – the Gion matsuri in Kyoto.
The crowd came out early, hours before the procession started in order to get the best views of the parade that would go along Shijo Dori and many other main streets of Kyoto.
We were also lucky to have witnessed the biggest fireworks in Japan also known as the Sumidagawa Hanabi Taikai in the Asakusa district of Tokyo. We braved the crowds despite the fact that we had a six month old baby with us. Many waited for hours to secure the best “seats” for the annual event.
We witnessed a smaller local Matsuri in Nasu.
Click here for my other posts on Japan.
