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[uktokyoite]

Hey everybody,

If you're going to be in Tokyo or Japan over the next 4 weeks or so, try and get to a hanabi festival if you can.

In Japanese hanabi literally means fire flower - what we call fireworks. At the end of July and through August Japan has some of the biggest fireworks displays you'll ever see. For an average show there will be around 3,500 fireworks in a period of 1. 5 - 2 hours. Usually the festivals take place near rivers or in large open space - for obvious reasons!

Be prepared to deal with a lot of people - the Sumida river fireworks in Tokyo has 22,000 fireworks (this year July 26th) and is usually packed. A quick tip if you're going - buy your return train ticket before you go to the event - that way when you leave you don't have to queue up for ages waiting. Otherwise decide to chill out for an hour or so afterwards before heading home.

For more info on Japanese festivals follow the link Japanese Festivals

[starlagurl]

Are fireworks a big part of the culture in Japan? They were invented in China, weren't they?

[uktokyoite]

Fireworks are huge in Japan. A lot of cultural aspects here originated in China - and were then adapted to 'fit' Japanese ways/beliefs/etc.

Even the language is Chinese in origin - only the Japanese added 2 more writing systems to it as well! Ho hum - way to make life easy...

[inasia2008]

Yes fireworks are huge! And they are unlike anything I have seen elsewhere! I was completely bowled over when we saw them at Lake Towada!
I actually have a tattoo which means love in chinese, and here in Japan people know what it says, so it must be the same! Actually I was pretty relieved because at least I know it means what it is supposed too, and not something awful instead! LOL!

[starlagurl]

Fireworks: that's what I thought, very interesting.

Tattoo: That's really good to know, Jo! I have heard so many horror stories about those Asian tattoos.

[inasia2008]

Yeah I was a bit relieved I have to say!

[starlagurl]

Where is your tattoo?

[inasia2008]

Its one on my left hip! The second one I had done at a shop in London before I left! Then I had two more in Bahrain and one done here in Japan (which funnily enough is written in English)!

[starlagurl]

Wow, you're all tatooed up...I thought we had this discussion before...hmmm...
What are all your other ones of?

[uktokyoite]

You are a tattoo mistress ; ) Hope you're ok Jo - you must have felt some pretty big rumbles last night.

[inasia2008]

Ha ha, yes Louise we did I think we had the convo with findingnine when he was looking to get his one done! I have 5, mostly in places I can hide with clothes because of my old job, but I have one on my upper back of a compass type star, a star on my foot which is a mariner star, the love symbol on my hip and my chinese dragon on the lower back and then alex on my inner right wrist!

Hi Honor, yes we are okay! I was pretty terrifying, I can't lie! I had heart palpatations for about half an hour afterwards! The fun of living in the most seismic country in the world!

[kjonline]

Yay Hanabi! I was too early to see the fireworks last time I was there. Next time better planning.

[uktokyoite]

Jo that's good news! I can imagine the heart palpitations. We felt it in Tokyo so I dread to think what it was like up north.

[inasia2008]

LOL! Its in a bit of a weird place for me to reach with the camera! So that is basically what it is like in that picture I have posted....

[inasia2008]

Jo that's good news! I can imagine the heart palpitations. We felt it in Tokyo so I dread to think what it was like up north.

Thanks! You felt it down there too, wow that is amazing! Yeah it was pretty mind blowing! The weather has been really weird though this summer, not like previous years, its been really muggy and humid and a lot of rain! So all in all a recipe for storms and earthquakes! And I wouldn't be surprised if we get hit with another typhoon warning soon like we did last year, although that wasn't as scarey as it was made out to be on AFN Radio! I understand where you are is pretty hot right now? Mike is pretty sure he has got a spot in Yokosuka next year, I think leaving Misawa will be a relief, everyone I know since I have been here is saying the same now, everyone is ready to leave!

[uktokyoite]

Oh yes it's hot here right now! Average day is around 30 - 35 and the humidity is high. Add to that all the air cons that are running in Tokyo - they reckon the temperature here is raised 2 - 3 degrees C every summer because of the emissions from these cooling machines. Now there's an irony if ever you needed one.

My fella and I actually decided at the start of this summer that we were not going to use air con at home. We can't do anything about companies etc but we can control our home. So far we've stuck to our promise and just use a fan. Actually it's amazing how quickly you get used to it - and it's definitely better for you than air con!

Why I told you that I have no idea - just one of those random moments of sharing I guess.

Congrats on the posting to Yokoska - maybe I'll get to meet you before too long ne?

Ho hum - back to work.

[starlagurl]

My fella and I actually decided at the start of this summer that we were not going to use air con at home. We can't do anything about companies etc but we can control our home. So far we've stuck to our promise and just use a fan. Actually it's amazing how quickly you get used to it - and it's definitely better for you than air con!

Good on you! I don't have air conditioning either, and it's not as bad as everyone thinks. I also live half underground, so...yeah it's a little cooler.

But really, all you have to do is close the curtains when the sun is shining in and open the windows at night, and you're good to go.

[inasia2008]

I try not to use ours, anyway it costs a bloody fortune in Japan to use them anyway, we have multi ones that run both the air con and the heaters in the winter! THe difference in the bills in the two seasons when not running them, is phenomenal!

[starlagurl]

I believe it...home heating/cooling is serious business...Lots of eneregy is expended doing this...