片貝花火 Katakai fireworks

The last of the top 3 fireworks shows in Niigata prefecture (the other 2 being the Nagaoka and Kashiwazaki ones). In my opinion, this pales in comparison to the other 2. Its only call to fame is that it boasts the largest firework in the world (seriously, it's apparently even registered in the Guiness Book of World Records). The shell of the firework measures 4-shaku dama (that's how Japanese measure the shell of fireworks) or 1.2m in diameter.

Kyoko and I with a mock-up of the 4-shaku dama shell

When exploded, the firework measures an astounding 800m across! One thing we all agreed on was that the sound made when the firework was set off was undisputedly the loudest and awe-inspiring. It made a low and authoritative "BOOM!" when it was fired, drawing gasps from the spectators, and its explosion reverberated like no other. Its size, on the other hand, was a more controversial issue. Honestly though, through my ignorant eyes, it didn't look very much bigger than the 3-shaku dama ones.

A mikoshi (portable shrine) parade featuring a 3-shaku dama shell



The best way to view fireworks is to lie on the ground, which is what we did!



These were cute! They'll explode but you don't see anything immediately so you think it's a dud and then these little clusters of fireworklets appear.



What I thought was more impressive than the 4-shaku dama firework was this series of 3-shaku dama ones. (in case you cannot view the video clip directly on this site, please use this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaCM06ZerRs)

After the show, we had to jostle to get into the line for the shuttle bus. Katakai is a very ulu town. No train station and the roads in the town were closed off. So everyone parked at this massive open area far away and relied on the shuttle bus to get to Katakai. We waited in line for 2 hours before finally getting on the bus. The carpark was too far to walk to.

After the fireworks, we drove to Tokamachi where we rented a log cabin at Outland Park for the night. Outland Park, which is located on the mountain next to a park, has 6 log cabins available for rent at a very affordable rate (only 6,000-yen per cabin a night). Very nice place. Gives you a feeling that you're very close to nature.

We got a nice cozy log cabin with a loft! Ours was the one on the right. All the log cabins have fairly large verendahs and are equipped with airconditioners. There're common toilets (also done up in a matching loggy style), but no showers and no beds in the cabins. So you've to go to an onsen to take your bath and bring a sleeping bag.
Me on the loft level

Late night drinking party (Clockwise from bottom left: Takeshi, Hisashi, Adilah (Indonesian IUJ student) and Kyoko). Already half-drunk from the fireworks show...

Funny sign on the cabin wall! In response, the very drunk Hisashi, who's usually very reserved, asked "ah no neh, so other position is ok?" :D