Bright beach

This year was not a good year for fireworks. I missed the first major local fireworks show because I was sick. One got canceled because of rough waters so the boat couldn't navigate safely to the spot where they launch the fireworks. Another got canceled because of a typhoon. One got cut extremely short because the boat launching the fireworks caught fire. So, this one was the only major fireworks I managed to go see this year.

Usually, I watch from a bench at the park across the street, tho I can only see the ones launched up high in the sky. But this year, I decided to go early and get a spot on the beach. I found a spot open at the water's edge and set up my pop-up tent (which I folded up as soon as the sun went down), laid down the sheet, and hunkered down with snacks, fizzy water, and Kindle while I waited for the show to start. I debated whether to go check out the stalls, but I got too comfortable LOL.

This beach is man-made, built around the same time as the amusement park across the bay. I saw some tents pitched on the small beach at that park. I'm guessing that they've been there all day, enjoying the rides and aquarium, then ending the evening with a fireworks show. The view from the rose park on top of the hill used to be a good spot to watch the fireworks until the trees got too big and blocked the view.

By the time it got dark, the beach was packed. I've heard people talking about the canceled shows and were worried that something would happen that canceled this show. But all went well. There was a nice breeze instead of strong winds that could've caused problems. The breeze helped move the smoke along so the finale wouldn't get hidden by a curtain of thick smoke.

It was a good, hour-long show, where batches of fireworks were sponsored and the sponsors were announced before the fireworks were launched. I cut out the announcements as much as possible in my vid.

Watching the fireworks from the beach was nice. I found a good spot where I wasn't sitting behind anybody so I got a clear view of the show, except when some clueless dude decided to walk along the beach at one point (cut out from the vid, of course). What is wrong with people?

Now, the challenge is getting back to the bike parking. Roughly 255,000 people come to see the fireworks each year. While there are always a few groups partying on the beach until they're kicked out by the organizers, most leave soon after the show ends. So you're there shuffling along the crowd trying to get to the exit. The roads around that beach are closed off to traffic, so crossing the street isn't an issue. But, being typically Japanese, people are still expected to use the crosswalk. I heard announcements that the roads will be closed until 9pm, so people parked at the beach parking won't be able to get out until then. I'm guessing they're the ones staying behind and partying on the beach. I feel sorry for those who came by train. The station is basically right next to the beach, but it's probably going to take hours before the last person can get on the train and go back to their final destination. Some will schlep 30 minutes to the other train station, but that'll probably be crowded, too, since I saw a lot of people walking that way.

The traffic was a bit bottlenecked at the road that intersection to the road that leads to the beach, but otherwise, the ride back home was smooth.

I'm glad I got to see the fireworks. It was a nice show.

Fireworks

 Sep 8