The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is Tokyo's oldest and most iconic summer tradition in the Kanto region. Held every year on the last Saturday of July, the event is divided between two venues and features as many as 20,000 dazzling fireworks. The biggest highlight is seeing the fireworks burst against the historic streets of Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree, creating a perfect blend of the traditional and the modern. People stroll through the streets in traditional yukata and enjoy food from festival stalls. The area is incredibly lively and has the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese summer festival.
Sumida River Fireworks Festival | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Starbucks Coffee Dazaifu Tenmangu Omotesando Store
Starbucks Coffee Dazaifu Tenmangu Omotesando Store opened in 2011, right next to the torii gate facing the Omotesando Avenue of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. This is one of the "Regional Landmark Stores," originally designed by Starbucks in iconic locations throughout Japan to promote the attractive local culture to the rest of the world.
This Starbucks was designed by master architect Kengo Kuma. Its most striking feature is the use of approximately 2,000 pieces of traditional timber, woven diagonally and extending from the interior to the exterior. The entire building was constructed without a single metal nail. The flowing wooden lines perfectly complement the historical and cultural atmosphere of Dazaifu, blending nature, tradition, and modern architectural aesthetics. It’s an artistic landmark and photo spot you definitely shouldn’t miss when visiting Tenmangu Shrine!
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Great Seto Bridge
Great Seto Bridge connects Okayama Prefecture on the main Island and Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku Island. This name is for all the six bridges that stretch for 9.4km (5.8 miles) over the channel. Different types such as suspension bridge, cable-stayed bridge, and truss bridge are connected together.
The most unforgettable part of cycling along the Shimanami Kaido is crossing one bridge after another over the sea, with sweeping views of the deep blue water, scattered islands, and distant mountains along the way. This approximately 70-kilometer route connects Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture with Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, linking several islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Riding across the bridges with the sea breeze and expansive ocean views is a very special travel experience.
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Weathercock House
Famed for the weathercock perched atop its spire, this residence is one of the signature Western-style houses of the area. Built around 1909 by German trader Gottfried Thomas as his personal home, it is the only surviving ijinkan in the Kitano-Yamamoto district featuring a brick exterior. The vivid brickwork, the stone-masonry entrance porch, and the half-timbering on the second floor give the house a stately presence that sets it apart from other ijinkan.
Among the Kitano Ijinkan, Weathercock House is one of the most iconic buildings and a must-visit for many tourists. Built during the Meiji era, it was once the residence of a German trader. Its exterior features red brick and timber construction, while the weathercock on the roof is the building’s most distinctive symbol. Inside, you can see furniture and living spaces left from when foreigners lived there and get a sense of the international culture that gradually developed after the Port of Kobe opened. The architectural details are also worth taking the time to appreciate.
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