Every culture has its own special season for fireworks. In many parts of the Western world, winter brings the sparkle of fireworks, while in the part of Asia where I come from, autumn is illuminated by the lights of Diwali.

But when I came to Japan, I discovered something beautifully different—**summer has a special place for fireworks here.**

The sight of people in traditional yukata, enjoying taiyaki, gathering with friends and family, and waiting for the night sky to burst into a grand display of *hanabi* feels uniquely Japanese. The warmth of the summer evening, the laughter around me, and the vivid colors blooming across the sky create memories that stay long after the last firework fades.

This photograph captures the **Toda Fireworks Festival**, taken this year from my rooftop—a summer night I will never forget.