[Akita] With over 100 years of history! Japan's No. 1 fireworks competition - "Omagari Fireworks Festival"

🎆 Head to the holy land of fireworks! "Omagari Fireworks Festival" 🎇

The Omagari Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's leading fireworks festivals, is officially called the National Fireworks Competition. It is held on the last Saturday of August every year on the banks of the Omono River in Daisen City (formerly Omagari City), Akita Prefecture, and is a major event that draws many spectators from both within Japan and overseas.

The origins of this event date back to 1910 (Meiji 43), and it is a historic and prestigious event that has been handed down for over 100 years since then. Today, it is highly regarded as Japan's most prestigious fireworks competition, where top fireworks makers selected from around the country gather to compete in skill and artistry.

The biggest feature of Omagari Fireworks is that the fireworks are not just for viewing, but are positioned as a "competition." Only a select few fireworks companies can participate, and all the fireworks that are launched boast an extremely high level of perfection in terms of composition, color, timing, and creativity.

The event is divided into "Daytime Fireworks" and "Night Fireworks." The daytime fireworks feature a visual and technical display using the colors and shapes of the smoke.

Some people may be surprised and say, "What? Fireworks in the daytime?!" but "Daytime fireworks" are competitive fireworks that are launched during the day, which is very rare in Japan. Unlike at night, the beauty and skill of the fireworks is judged not by the light, but by the color, shape, and spread of the smoke. Using special gunpowder called "iro-kemuri," vivid smoke in red, blue, yellow, green, and other colors spreads into the sky, painting the sky like a painting, creating a fantastical charm that is different from nighttime fireworks.

These daytime fireworks are what symbolize the Omagari Fireworks as a "competitive event," and are evaluated not only on appearance, but also on small details such as composition, duration, color changes, and how much smoke lingers. Anyone who sees these daytime fireworks, held in the morning, will be impressed and realize that fireworks are so profound.

PHOTO BY DAISEN CITY

At night, the spectators are dazzled as shakudama fireworks, creative fireworks, and large-scale star mines light up the night sky one after another.

The shakudama is a super-large firework with a diameter of about 30cm, which when launched spreads out in the air to a diameter of over 300m. It is truly the king of traditional Japanese fireworks, and its power and beauty overwhelms viewers. At the Omagari Fireworks Competition, there is a category that uses shakudama, and the color changes, symmetry of the blooming, precision of the launch timing, and overall harmony are rigorously evaluated.

Due to their size, even the slightest mistake can greatly affect the beauty of the fireworks, so highly skilled techniques are required to launch them. In addition, the heavy sound of the launch is so strong that spectators say "the sound and wind pressure resonate through your body," and one of the attractions is that it can be enjoyed with all five senses. The sight of a single large firework blooming in the night sky is truly a "work of fireworks art."

"Creative Fireworks" are a highly flexible form of fireworks that combines the artistic sensibility of the fireworks maker with advanced technology. Unlike traditional circular or radial fireworks, they are combined with music and a story to create a "performance."

At the Omagari National Fireworks Competition, the Creative Fireworks Category is particularly popular, with the fireworks perfectly synchronized with the music and the original combinations of colors and shapes striking a chord with visitors. For example, this category allows visitors to experience fireworks as "expressive art," with unique shapes such as hearts and stars, unusual pastel colors, and the rhythm and timing of the launch.

This is a particularly noteworthy program that provides an arena where young fireworks makers can fully demonstrate their creativity, and is greeted every year with applause and cries of amazement from the audience.

Every year, about 700,000 to 800,000 spectators visit from all over the country, and the banks of the Omono River, where the event is held, are filled with seating. Approximately 18,000 fireworks are launched, and each one is filled with the pride and passion of the fireworks makers.

The National Fireworks Competition - Omagari Fireworks is more than just a seasonal summer event; it is a culmination of Japanese culture and craftsmanship. Why not experience the tradition and excitement that has been built up over many years in person?

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Enjoy the spectacular views and famous hot springs of every season | The charm of Tendo Onsen

Located almost in the center of Yamagata Prefecture, Tendo Onsen is a famous hot spring known as a historic therapeutic hot spring. Tendo Onsen's springs date back about 130 years, and are said to have been discovered in 1884 (Meiji 17). Since then, it has been used as a place of healing for people visiting from inside and outside Yamagata Prefecture. The name of the hot spring town comes from the local historical place name "Tendo," and one of its charms is the townscape that is alive with history and culture.

The spring quality of Tendo Onsen is mainly sodium chloride spring, and it is characterized by being colorless, transparent, and slightly salty. It has a high heat retention effect, and is said to be effective in easing cold, fatigue, and joint and muscle pain. It is also said to have skin-beautifying effects, making it a popular hot spring among women.

PHOTO BY WEB Tourism Tendo

The hot spring town is located at the foot of the Ou Mountains and is surrounded by abundant nature. You can enjoy beautiful scenery in every season, with the fresh greenery in spring and the stunning autumn leaves attracting visitors. In addition, many of the accommodations have open-air baths and large public baths where you can see the mountains and rural landscapes, allowing you to spend a luxurious time soaking in the hot water and feeling the breath of nature.

Tendo Onsen is not just a place to bathe, but also a place where you can enjoy the warm hospitality and food culture of the locals. The surrounding area is dotted with shogi-related facilities unique to Tendo City, which is famous for its shogi pieces, making it an attractive tourist spot for shogi fans. There is also a wide variety of dishes made with locally produced ingredients, including Yamagata beef and local sake, making for a trip that will satisfy your taste buds as well.

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Recommended gourmet food around Tendo Onsen

1. Yamagata Beef

PHOTO BY Yamagata Prefectural Government

Yamagata Beef, a brand of beef that Yamagata Prefecture takes pride in, is exquisite in its sweet, tender fat. Many inns and restaurants in Tendo Onsen serve it as lavish dishes such as sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, and steak. The melt-in-your-mouth flavor is one of the best parts of a hot spring trip.

2. Soba dishes

PHOTO BY Yamagata Prefecture Official Tourism Site

Yamagata is also famous for soba noodles, and handmade soba noodles made with locally grown buckwheat flour are popular. There is a traditional soba restaurant near Tendo Onsen where you can enjoy fragrant soba noodles in a simple way. We recommend enjoying cold soba noodles, hot soba noodles with kakesoba, or seasonal tempura.

3. Dadacha beans

PHOTO BY Wikipedia

Dadacha beans, a specialty of Yamagata, are characterized by their sweetness and rich flavor. They are served boiled in salt or processed at izakayas and souvenir shops in Tendo Onsen, allowing you to enjoy the local flavor.

4. Cherries (seasonal)

PHOTO BY Trip to Yamagata

Yamagata Prefecture is one of Japan's leading cherry producing regions. In early summer, there are spots where you can taste fresh, sweet cherries, so you can enjoy seasonal fruits during your stay at Tendo Onsen.

5. Local sake (jizake)

PHOTO BY Trip to Yamagata

There are many sake breweries around Tendo Onsen, so you can enjoy Yamagata's finest sake. Sake made from locally grown sake rice is rich in flavor and will add color to your evenings at the hot springs. Many establishments offer tasting sets, so be sure to give it a try.

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Why not experience one of Japan's largest fireworks festivals, Omagari Fireworks?

This fireworks festival boasts over 100 years of history, with large fireworks and creative fireworks launched into the night sky, stunning both the eyes and the soul. Every year, hundreds of thousands of spectators gather on the banks of the Omono River to enjoy a spectacular feast of light and sound.

After watching the fireworks, relax in the beautiful natural surroundings of Tendo Onsen. Enjoy local delicacies such as Yamagata beef, handmade soba noodles, and sweet, rich dadachamame beans. Furthermore, tasting Yamagata-made sake and wine at a local sake brewery is the perfect way to end your trip.

Please join us on a special journey where you can fully experience the charm of Japanese culture, cuisine, and nature!

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