Sparkling Success: Kurawanka Fireworks Light Up the Night in Hirakata
Suito Kurawanka Fireworks Festival: A Night to Remember in Hirakata City
The 3rd Suito Kurawanka Fireworks Festival was held in Hirakata City, Osaka on September 15, with 5,087 fireworks dancing in the night sky. During the 30-minute countdown, occasional applause erupted and the entire venue was thrilled.
The Kurawanka Fireworks Festival, canceled in 2003 due to financial difficulties, was revived in 2022 for the first time in about 20 years. Next year, in 2023, it became a popular event with 250,000 visitors. The number of fireworks that are set off each year is based on the number of births in the cities of Hirakata and Takatsuki the previous year, but starting this year, the city of Katano is also counted.
In addition to the fireworks, there were also more than 100 food and beverage stands set up in Yodogawa Riverbed Park, which was the venue for the event. Continuing with last year, paid spectator seating was set up, and a 2-meter-high fence was installed along the riverbank for about 700 meters, making Prefectural Route 13 a temporary pedestrian paradise. It was crowded with many people, including families with children and couples in yukata.
This year, just like last year, the venue had fencing installed.
At 7:30 pm the fireworks started with the countdown signal, then a huge wave of fireworks began. At the climax, huge fireworks were launched without a moment’s delay, creating the greatest cheer of the day as they were as powerful as a giant firework. The finale came at exactly 8 pm, with applause erupting everywhere.
Hirakatashi Station, the closest station to the venue, opened a large complex called Hirakata Mall on September 6, and the area was filled with food stalls set up just in time for the day.