Summer has finally come!

Fireworks, beaches... I've started to feel summer has finally come to Japan!!! I went to Hiwasa, Tokushima to see fireworks last weekend. I arrived there at around noon. The firework was scheduled to start at 21:00, so two of us decided to go to the beaches for fun. There were more people than usual in Hiwasa for the festival and a triathlon race the next day, which was bringing some excitement to the city. I bought a new yukata for this occasion and wanted to put it on all by myself. I practiced a few times with my mother but it was a lot harder than I had expected! So I gave up my intension and went to a hair salon. Two ladies fitted me up for my brand-new yukata for 2,000 yen - I thought it was quite reasonable... I was picked up and we went to the festival. There was children's show, Awa dancing (this was great!) and many food stalles. I love the atomosphere of summer festivals. From nine, much-anticipated main event started - fireworks! We were very lucky to get close spot and saw them very close. Yukata, fireworks, beaches... I love summer!

There was a display of fireworks on the Hiwasa beach. I saw
them really close, which was great but I hurt my ears.

Highlights of the fireworks. The building on the left side is
Yakuoji Temple. It was a fantastic site.

Awa dancing in action - Tokushima's very famous dancing. I
really love the way the picture turned out!

Children were so good at dancing and really cute! 

I always get excited to see these shops in summer festivals.

Many girls were wearing colorful yukata - colorful night.

It was really stupid of me but I forgot to bring geta
(Japanese wooden clogs) but luckily, a kind person
lent me them!

Rainy season

Last weekend I left Okayama and took trains to Tokushima. It rained for two days but I still had a good time. I didn' t know that there are many beautiful beaches in Tokushima and it is a very popular prefecture for surfers. I am going to Hiwasa, Tokushima again this weekend for fireworks and I am very excited about it! I hope I will be able to wear yukata by myself... Sadly, this will perhaps be the last time for me to visit Tokushima and I will miss beautiful beaches so much.

Dogs are so adorable... 

An amazing sea view from outside bath in Hiwasa.
It only costs 500 yen! There was no-one else and I
was able to take the picture.

There was this big tree in front of the shrine.
I have no idea what kind of tree it is but looked
amazing.

My yakisoba (noodle) looks a lot but I had all.

I didn't know Kingkong was in Tokushima!! 

This is Doma chichi yogurt - the best drink
I have ever had!

I really like Takamatsu at night - so romantic. 

This is where we had dinner. We were lucky enough to see the beautiful sunset.  

Reiko, trying to escape from my camera. 

Very welcoming entrance

Wish I had a room like this... 

The chair was so uncomfortable! 

Reiko ordering very seriously. 

Don't break the chair (?), Reiko! 

This bread was so yum! 

It seems like I always have tomato pasta. 

Reiko looks very content! 

Hmm... tasty 650 yen cup of coffee.