Hanabi (花火)

​Hanabi is another festival that I went during during my time here is Japan. A little bit of background info about Hanabi is a Japanese festival known as the fireworks festival. Japanese light fireworks as they believe that it would ward off evil spirits. It is a happy atmosphere where people wear yukata's and the streets would be lined up with food stalls and games. Hanabi is also a time where couples confess. During Hanabi, you would see ALOT of couples. 

​After the sweet making, we all headed home to get ready for HANABI. Wearing a yukata at Tanabata was difficult. I didn't know how I was going to handle it today . While getting ready, Mistuki, Issa, Mahiro and Yuhi came over to get ready with us. After everything was done, we got dropped off to the train station where we made our way to Hirastuka. ​One thing I can say is that there was a really big crowd. The streets were crowded as we were walking as there need to be guards on the road, patrolling for the safety of the citizens. Getting there we caught up with Suzumi, Rena, Reo and Shareek.

​THE FIREWORKS STARTED. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. Even though all fireworks are the same, I still love them. Unlike New Zealand the fireworks started at 6:30 and ended around 8ish. There was a whole parade of fireworks. It was really beautiful. I was really glad that I had the opportunity to come here with my friends. 

After the fireworks, we went to get some food. I bought this chicken dish (I forgot the name) but it was DELICOUS. The person serving us was sooo cute. He spoke really good English. He asked where we were from and it was cute how he kept complimenting me in the yukata. 
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It was around 10:30ish, now it was time to head home. There is this rule in Japan that kids need to be back home before 12 so we had to run. Unfortunately we ended up getting lost. ISSA AND MITSUKI HAD LEFT US and they were the only ones who knew the directions to the train station. After asking for directions at a nearby convenience store, we finally made it to the train station. While walking back home, I got to know Mahiro more. It was nice talking to him and getting to know him more. I found out that is favourite song is "CLOSER" as we both ended up singing together. I taught his English tongue twisters while he taught me some Japanese ones. HONESTLY, another language tongue twister is hard. 

​We got home around 1 pm and honesty I was dead tired. After a HOT and RELAXING bath, I headed off to bed. Saying that I got enough sleep was an understatement. With only less than 3 hours of sleep, I had to wake up at the next day at 5 for a long and tiring day at school. Thankfully, my host mother was willing to drive us to school the next day so I got the opportunity to sleep in the car. 
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Overall today I really enjoyed watching the fireworks with my friends. I got to eat more yummy food aswell as getting to know some of my friends more. The memories that were made at Hanabi will never be forgotten.