Summer Haiku: 515 Fosun Family Day Invites You to a Spectacular Fireworks Festival

"Summer memories are fireworks, yukata, and Masami Nagasawa." — Tomohisa Yamashita.

Fireworks festivals, also known as "hanabi taikai" in Japan, are traditional Japanese cultural events. Dating back to the Edo period, they are one of the summer shrine festivals in Japan. Originally held to ward off evil and console the spirits of the dead, they have become an indispensable summer attraction, hailed as the poetic symbol of Japanese summer nights.

So follow the recommendations of the 515 Fosun Family Day to see the spectacular fireworks festivals across Japan that are perfect for a family outing!

Sumida River Fireworks Festival

Location: Taito and Sumida wards, Tokyo. Venue 1: between Sakurabashi Bridge downstream and Kototoibashi Bridge upstream; Venue 2: between Komagatabashi Bridge downstream and Umayabashi Bridge upstream.

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival boasts a history of over 300 years. Together with the Meiji Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival and the Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Festival (canceled due to Olympic construction), it is known as one of the "Three Major Fireworks Festivals of Tokyo." The festival has two venues located on either side of Asakusa Station. The ideal spot to view the fireworks is along the Sumida River, which flows through eastern Tokyo and empties into Tokyo Bay, especially near Asakusa Station, where large crowds gather. After the completion of Tokyo Skytree, it not only became a new symbol of Tokyo but also an iconic backdrop for the Sumida River Fireworks Festival.

*Due to the pandemic, this year's Sumida River Fireworks Festival has been canceled.

Tenjin Festival Dedicated Fireworks

Tenjin Festival is one of Japan's three major festivals with a history of over a thousand years. As part of the famous Osaka Tenjin Festival, the Dedicated Fireworks has a significant influence throughout the Kansai region, often attracting millions of spectators.

The Yoiya (eve festival) and Honmiya (main festival) are the highlights of the Tenjin Festival, and the fireworks display serves as a grand finale to the Honmiya. After enjoying the spectacular Tenjin Festival, you can look forward to the highly anticipated fireworks.

If you want to experience both a Japanese festival and a fireworks display, choosing Osaka Tenjin Festival kills two birds with one stone.

Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival

Address: Kawaishinden, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture; west of Nagano Bridge, second green area along the Sai River.

The Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival has a history of over 100 years. It is the largest fireworks festival in late autumn in Japan and the only one held in November. Since its inception in 1899 (Meiji 32), this long history has made it a highly anticipated late-autumn event, drawing visitors from all over. The festival is characterized by increasingly large fireworks displays, with over 15,000 fireworks lighting up the night sky in stunning colors, lights, and sounds over more than two hours.

However, in 2019, due to the impact of Super Typhoon Hagibis, the 114th Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival, preparations for which had begun in early spring, was ultimately canceled.

Suwa Lake Festival Lake Fireworks

Address: Lakeside road, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture; on Suwa Lake, in front of Lakeside Park.

When thinking of Suwa Lake in Shinshu, besides the animated film "Your Name," the Suwa Lake New Fireworks Festival held every August is a must-see. Thousands of fireworks are launched with overwhelming power, dazzling and captivating. Accompanied by music, the atmosphere makes the experience truly unforgettable.

The festival features a gorgeous Niagara Falls fireworks display cascading down about 2 km from the lake surface, as well as a unique water firework called "Kiss of Fire," which can only be seen at Suwa Lake. "Kiss of Fire" consists of semi-circular flowers blooming on the water very close to the surface, using the mirror effect of the lake to connect the half-circle fireworks into a perfect circle.

The festival launches over 40,000 fireworks in total, making it the largest fireworks festival in Japan in terms of the number of fireworks launched, and it is one of the must-see events.

Karuizawa 1130 Resort

If you plan to attend fireworks festivals in Nagano, staying at the Karuizawa 1130 Resort on the 1130-meter high plateau in Kita-Karuizawa would be an excellent choice.

The Karuizawa 1130 Resort is a large-scale property with 8 floors above ground, a total of 238 guest rooms, and a variety of room types to flexibly meet different needs of travelers.

Room size: 56 m²

Bright and spacious room design offers direct views of the natural beauty at an altitude of 1130 meters.

Japanese Tatami Suite

Room size: 81 m²

Enjoy the traditional Japanese style of tatami mats and the charm of sitting on the floor.

Open-air Hot Spring Room

Room size: 56 m² / 81 m²

While immersing yourself in the hot spring, you can also take in the seasonal views of Mount Asama through large glass windows.

As a highlight of the hotel, its natural hot spring that beautifies the skin attracts many visitors. The hot spring water, naturally emerging from the foot of Mount Asama, contains rich yellowish-brown sodium sulfate, making the water exceptionally soft. Bathing leaves the skin feeling smooth and supple, which is popular among locals. The hot spring area includes large public baths for men and women, as well as facilities like a sauna and massage room.

The open-air bath design allows you to enjoy both soaking and scenery, allowing you to intimately connect with nature.

The Karuizawa 1130 Resort offers a variety of dining options, including seasonal buffets, French-based Western cuisine, Japanese cuisine, and a bar. Due to the pandemic, the dinner buffet may be adjusted on certain dates as follows:

Creative French dinner "One Star / Seasonal Menu."

Japanese Cuisine Yamakoshi "One Star / Seasonal Menu."

*No additional charge during adjustments.

COVID-19 Tips

To ensure comprehensive epidemic prevention, some facilities at Karuizawa 1130 Resort are temporarily closed.

■April 29, 2020 to June 30, 2020:

Lounge "danro"

■Closed from April 6, with reopening to be announced.

Restaurant "Asama"

Indoor heated pool "comori Park"

Bicycle rental service

Electric balance scooter rental service

Every guest can book the hotel's free shuttle bus to reach the hotel.

Departure point:

JR Karuizawa Station, south exit rotary.

*After exiting the ticket gate, head to the right.

Quintessa Hotel Osaka Bay

If you plan to attend fireworks festivals in Osaka, the Quintessa Hotel Osaka Bay, located in the quiet Osaka Bay area away from the city's hustle and bustle, is an ideal accommodation.

The Quintessa Hotel Osaka Bay features modern-style decoration, complete facilities, and a comfortable environment. Known as the "Broadway of breakfast," the hotel offers breakfast based on the motto "Recharge for life, start an energetic day." The chef carefully selects seasonal ingredients and uses meticulous cooking methods to highlight their flavors.

The hotel has 190 rooms across 8 room types, all with a spacious area of over 40 m², which is rare in Osaka. In 2017, it won the Gold Award for Best Overall Accommodation from a Japanese local website. The uniform modern contemporary interior creates an elegant and comfortable space for guests to enjoy blissful moments.

Standard Room: Modern and elegant interior decoration, room size 42 m².

Deluxe Suite: A premium room offering panoramic views of Osaka city, with a spacious 45 m² space for a wonderful vacation.

Corner Suite: 80 m² in size, spacious and refined, each room offering city views of Osaka.

Wine & Western Restaurant "Aimable"

The restaurant "Aimable" warmly welcomes every guest with genuine hospitality. The elegant interior space allows relaxation day or night. The chef's unique buffet offers a wide variety of vegetables and satisfying meats.

Breakfast Buffet

7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

The chef strictly selects ingredients, cooking methods, seasonal features, and supply channels, presenting a hearty breakfast with nearly 80 items. Carefully prepared with easy-to-eat sizes, tableware, color coordination, and plating, it is both delicious and visually appealing. *To control the spread of the pandemic, the breakfast buffet will be changed to a Japanese-Western bento box from April 1, 2020.

Lunch Buffet

11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

A wide variety of 60 items in the buffet, enjoy a diverse array of delicious dishes that surprise you visually, in ease of use, and in satisfaction.

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Enjoy a pleasant afternoon tea with coffee and cake, relaxing in leisure.

*Due to the pandemic, bar services have been terminated from February 29, 2020.

515 Fosun Family Day

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly, in recognition of the importance of families, declared May 15 as the International Day of Families to raise awareness of family issues and promote family well-being.

This day is not only the UN International Day of Families but also a special day for Fosun Tourism Group. With the vision of "making global families happier," Fosun officially launched "Fosun Family Day" in 2019. This year's "Fosun Family Day" is full of offers; Fosun Tourism has shared thoughtful gifts over the month, presenting multiple discounts to show love for every family, helping wonderful journeys start from home.

Fireworks are fleeting, but the brilliant display at that moment may become an eternal summer memory engraved in the heart. When the world is safe, go with your family to enjoy the "double love" from Fosun and attend a splendid fireworks appointment together!