Out of Norm Travels - Adventures in Japan: 2019 - (August) Lake Biwa and Osaka Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks

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In August, I made it 2 fireworks with a single flight to Osaka. 

The first fireworks is held at Lake Biwa (Otsu) which is a short 30mins ride from Kyoto for its Lake Biwa Fireworks (びわ湖大花火大会). This is a spectacular fireworks event held at the largest lake in the country, Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. 

 This hour-long fireworks event displays over 10,000 colourful fireworks over the magnificent lake, inviting over 350,000 viewers every year. 

 As I didn't manage to get the seating area, I basically went to a nearby shore area in the afternoon to witness this event. Here is a short video (albeit tilted) and some photos taken at the event: 
For more info of this fireworks event, go to https://www.biwako-visitors.jp/hanabi/. 

 I've enjoyed my time at Lake Biwa and will see you again in 2020! 

The 2nd Fireworks event is held at Osaka city itself near the Yodo River. The 2019 Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Display is on its 31st anniversary - the Fireworks display was launched in the first year of the Heisei Era (1989) by local volunteers who cherish the Yodo River which flows through Osaka, and who have a deep love for their home city to breathe life into Osaka. This 1 hour long fireworks event is ranked among the top 10 most popular firework in the Kansai region, and this is indeed one of the most awaited events in Osaka.The event is known for its special, hand-made fireworks. 

 CAMERA SETTINGS FOR FIREWORKS: Taking fireworks are not really difficult as the usual applies - solid tripod, wired or wireless trigger with low ISO settings and shutter speeds ranging from 6sec to 13 secs depending on the intensity of the fireworks. The fireworks at Lake Biwa were generally smoke free compared to the ones taken at Osaka but both were just as spectacular. 

 Here are some photos taken using my smartphone as well: 


My travels to Japan brought me much joy with 2 trips in 2018 to Nagasaki (via Fukuoka) for the summer fireworks in August and then to Nagano (via Tokyo) for the Autumn Fireworks in November - there blog entry that I did for my Italian friend of my 2018 Japan adventures are here: https://ugoceiphotography.com/b/photographing-fireworks-japan/. 

 Until the next time, onto the world and beyond! 

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