During the summer, a Taiwanese student staying in Tateyama experienced the Tateyama Bay Fireworks Display. We received some lovely photos, videos, and impressions from them, and we’re pleased to share them here! Xiangyun’s impressions The Tateyama fireworks festival was incredibly exciting. I was astonished that Japanese fireworks last for a whole hour, whereas major events in Taiwan—such as New Year’s Eve—only last about five minutes; that contrast surprised me greatly. What sets Tateyama’s fireworks apart is that they are launched over the sea, creating a vast spread that blooms everywhere at once, so you don’t know where to look; it felt fresh and spectacular. Watching from the sand, with most people lying back comfortably, was very pleasant. I was swept up in the romantic atmosphere of the moment and felt that the Tateyama fireworks festival contained everything needed for romance. The festival food stalls heightened the dreamlike mood, their colorful displays and rich aromas making everything tempting. There were many takoyaki vendors, and I ended up buying a box to taste. The vendors were very kind and warm toward me even though we couldn’t speak the same language, which touched my heart. Walking around made me smile naturally, and those delicious flavors made the night even more unforgettable. The Tateyama Fireworks Festival is truly exhilarating. I was amazed that Japanese fireworks can last for a whole hour, especially compared to major celebrations in Taiwan—like New Year’s Eve—that only last about five minutes. This difference really shocked me. What makes the Tateyama fireworks special is that they explode over the sea, creating a vast display that bursts in all directions at once, making it hard to know where to look. It’s both novel and spectacular. Watching from the beach, where most people lie down comfortably, adds to the relaxing atmosphere. The romantic mood at that moment is intoxicating, as if the Tateyama fireworks festival embodies all the elements needed for romance. The food stalls at the festival add to the dreamlike feeling, with their colorful displays and enticing aromas making everything tempting to eat. There were many takoyaki (octopus ball) vendors, and I couldn’t resist buying a box to try. The vendors were very friendly, warmly interacting with me despite the language barrier, which made me feel especially welcomed. As I strolled around, I found myself smiling unconsciously, and the delicious tastes made the evening even more unforgettable. The Tateyama fireworks festival thrilled me. I was shocked that Japanese fireworks can last up to an hour, compared with Taiwan’s major celebrations—like New Year’s Eve—that last only about five minutes. The special thing about Tateyama’s fireworks is that they bloom over the sea, covering a wide area and exploding in every direction at once, leaving you unsure where to look; it felt both novel and magnificent. Watching on the beach, where nearly everyone lies down to view them, felt especially relaxing. The romantic atmosphere of that moment was intoxicating, as if the Tateyama fireworks festival gathered all the elements needed for romance. The stalls at the festival added to the dreamlike feeling, colorful and fragrant, making everything look tempting to eat. There were especially many takoyaki stalls, and I couldn’t help buying a box to taste. The vendors were very enthusiastic and interacted kindly with me despite the language barrier, making me feel warmly welcomed. While walking around, I found myself smiling unconsciously, and the flavors of those foods made the night even more memorable.