What Kounosu is famous for is the biggest fireworks show in the country. Sure, there are plenty of places with better fireworks as such, but they cram everything into the final climax, and that’s how they made it “number one in Japan”. It’s the desperate move of a town with no budget, but it works, and people flock here for it.

Light provisions

The event falls outside the usual fireworks season, so it was a bit chilly, but fireworks still call for beer.

A whole run of fireworks photos follows below, but honestly, it was really boring.

It went on for about two hours, and it was so ordinary it got tedious. I wondered whether I’d really come all this way for this.

But then…

In the final minute or less, they fired off what felt like as many fireworks as the whole show up to that point, and it genuinely filled half the night sky. That’s when the “number one in Japan” thing made sense. For that one moment, it was so spectacular I was moved.

The crowd at the station on the way home

Given the hassle, I’m not sure I’d come again, but I’ve seen Japan’s number one for myself, so I’ll call it good enough.

That night I stayed over at a friend’s place and ate all sorts of things.

Yebisu beer

Not very Yebisu-like, but smooth and perfectly decent.

Supposedly all the rage lately…

This one, the Gari Pote from Sangosho in Kamakura, and the Setouchi lemon ika-ten (squid tempura crisps) were supposedly hugely popular, so I gave them a try. They were fine, nothing special.

Late-night snack

Sukiya’s avocado gyudon. It varies from branch to branch, and this one was just so-so.

Black Nikka

One of the best things you can pick up at a convenience store. Just drink it on the rocks. And so the sleepless night wore on.

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