Hiroshima Fireworks

Summer in Japan just doesn’t quite work without taking in at least one fireworks show. Hiroshima has several, but the two big crowd pleasers are the Miyajima show in August, and what is called the Yumehanabi, or “Dream Fireworks” from Hiroshima Port in the Ujina district. Formerly held directly in front of the Prince Hotel at Moto Ujina, the display has shifted slightly east. Several years ago construction was finished on a massive new pier, the 10,000 ton cruise ship berth intended to welcome anticipated Chinese and other cruise ships to Hiroshima, along with crowds of tourists eager to spend their money. The Hiroshima Port fireworks show is now held on the open water in front of the pier. The show is a knockout. With the Seto Inland Sea as its backdrop, the firework artists paint the sky with blossoms, discs, strange hats and smiley faces. Some rockets ascend invisibly, others ride a spiral of ever-widening fire before exploding with a roar you can feel in your bones. A full hour of more or less constant fireworks, with periodic brief pauses followed by crescendos that have people asking, “Is this the finale?” A silly question. Some 10,000 fireworks are launched…