Lake Toya Fireworks

Lake Toya in Hokkaido has fireworks on the lake through out summer.

Hachinohe Sansa Taisai

Another major summer festival in the Tohoku region.  This one is in the city of Hachinohe. The floats used in the festival fold up so they can fit through the narrow parts of the streets and under power lines.

Doing Okay

Apparently there was a reasonably sized earthquake in Northern Japan but didn't feel it where I am. No risk of a tsunami.

Morioka Sansa Odori

Morioka is in northern Japan and every year they have a four day dance festival in the streets.

Osaka again

Back in Osaka. Was originally planning to go to a festival but the city is so hot and humid so decided to seek shelter in the air-conditioning underground malls and shopping centres. In the evening I checked out the hotel's bar as I had a welcome drink voucher.

The Walkman is 40 years old

Sony is celebrating the 40the anniversary of the Walkman with a display at the site of the old Sony building, which is currently a temporary park.

Sumida River Fireworks

The 90 minute Sumida River Fireworks is one of Japan's major fireworks display. It draws around a million people to the banks of the Sumida. I was lucky enough to have a view from my hotel room.