Nagaragawa Firework Show
Trip Start
Jul 26, 2008
1
3
12
Trip End
Aug 03, 2008
Gifu,
Chubu,
Japan
Saturday, August 2, 2008
In my original plan, I intended to watch the fireworks from the top of Mt. Kinka which was close to the venue. So I left home quite earlier to trek up the mountain. At the foot, Gifu Park was located with a few museums and Nobunaga's Palace Ruin. I was not interested in the museums and the ruin was boring. So I strolled around the park for a while. Then, I found a lovely monument near Nobunaga's garden. The monument was for the site of the marriage of Kazutoyo Yamauchi and Chiyo, a daimyo and his sagacious wife in the 16th century. It was small and easy to miss, butI liked the beautiful monument more than any other attractions in Gifu.
There was a ropeway available to go up to the top of the mountain, but it was expensive, 500 yen for one way. Without hesitation, I decided to trek. There ware some treking courses leading to the top and I chose Meditation Route, which had a few viewpoints to look down the whole city and river. The route was not supposed to be difficult for any trekers, but unexpectedly it was quite hard for me. I thought I needed more everyday fitness training. In the middle of the route, I met a man preparing for taking a picture of the fireworks from the point.
Kazutoyo & Chiyo's Monument
Come to think of it, it was the best point to watch the fireworks, but I went on to the top. At the top, Gifu Castle was located. It was a very small castle, the smallest castle I had ever seen. Because the castle was located on the top of the mountain, it didn't need a fort or moat to protect the castle keep. The castle clock in front of the keep was interesting, but I was not interested in the inside of the castle. So I looked for the best place to watch the fireworks after a short break in front of the castle. Then I found a problem. In fact, it was difficult to watch the fireworks from there, because the castle was facing Nagara River and there was no observatory on that side. Thirty or forty people were waiting for the fireworks show to begin just next of the castle, but I was not sure if they watched the fireworks from up there. On the other hand, I decided to watch them on the bank of Nagara River and quickly returned to the foot. It was almost six, but I passed by some treckers going upward.
Nagara River bank was a five minute walk from Gifu Park. The bank and road along the bank was crowded, but there were still a lot of spaces to sit on. I don't know why so many Japanese like fireworks, but I fully understand it is a tradition to watch them with friends or families in the summer. More women like to wear Japanese summer kimono than men, in particular young girls. Firework shows must be good chances for them to wear beautiful wear. In that point, firework shows don't only mean to watch. Needless to say, the show was great, but the traffic jam on the way to the station was also great.
