Fukuoka music festival marking century since start of Showa era takes visitors back in time
FUKUOKA -- A music festival held in this southwestern Japan city on Showa Day on April 29 took visitors back in time with a series of classic songs from the Showa era (1926-1989).
The "Showa 100 Year Bayside Song Festival" was hosted by the Bayside Place Hakata entertainment complex in Fukuoka's Hakata Ward on a specially prepared outdoor stage in front of visitors who reveled in the nostalgia.
Performers included the big band Dan Ishida & Newbricco, based at the Acros Fukuoka concert hall, and others with numbers including Megumi Asaoka's "Watashi no Kare wa Hidarikiki," Masako Mori's "Sensei," and Agnes Chan's "Sogen no Kagayaki," which drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Toshio Fujinaga, 55, a civil servant visiting from Kitakyushu, remarked, "All the songs are ones that are still great to listen to. During the Showa era, everyone gave it their all." His wife Shinomi, 54, added, "I love Seiko Matsuda and still go to her concerts."
Showa-era goods and records were also sold at the venue and a DJ event was held by the retro "kayokyoku" karaoke bar "Spotlight," enveloping the area in Showa memories.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yomiuri Shimbun
3 days ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Shigeo Nagashima Passes Away: Eternal Mr. Pro Baseball Brightened An Era
With his spectacular plays and beaming smile, Shigeo Nagashima brightened an era. He was truly a sun- or sunflower-like figure. Together with fans across Japan, we pray for him to rest in peace. Nagashima, the lifetime honorary manager of the Yomiuri Giants, has passed away. He was 89. As a player and manager, he achieved numerous accomplishments and solidified the popularity of professional baseball in Japan. He was a national star worthy of the title 'Mr. Pro Baseball.' The bigger the stages were, the more the 'man with the burning spirit' demonstrated his abilities. In the game attended by the then Emperor and Empress in 1959, he hit a dramatic walk-off home run off Hanshin Tigers pitcher Minoru Murayama in the bottom of the ninth inning. With slugger Sadaharu Oh, Nagashima was the driving force for the Giants known as the 'O-N' pair during a period called the Giants V9 campaign when they won nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles. And the two earned a description as the 'record-breaker Oh, memory-maker Nagashima.' During Japan's high-growth period of the Showa era (1926-1989), many people related to Nagashima with his energetic plays in a thriving society and drew inspiration from him for days to come. Nagashima was probably the only player who could make fans cheer even after making an error. Even people who rooted against the Giants loved him deeply. After retiring in 1974 with the famous speech, 'My Giants are forever immortal,' Nagashima managed the Giants over two stints. In 1994, Nagashima led the team to victory in the 'Oct. 8 showdown' against the Chunichi Dragons to win the league championship and went on to win the Japan Series. In 1996, he managed the team as they came from behind to overcome an 11.5-game deficit against the first-place Hiroshima Carp to win the league championship. In the 2000 'millennium showdown' Japan Series against the Daiei Hawks managed by Oh, the entire nation was abuzz. Dramatic developments occurred around Nagashima one after another, probably because he was a superstar. He always maintained a positive attitude, leaving behind numerous memorable quotes such as 'Make Drama' and 'Miracle Again.' At times, he also made humorous remarks that charmed fans like 'Let's pretend to go for 'utsu' [a hit], but instead we will go for hitting,' mixing English and Japanese words both meaning same thing, and 'I've reached my first 60th birthday.' One thing that must not be forgotten is Nagashima's contribution to nurturing Hideki Matsui into an indisputable cleanup hitter. Nagashima set a '1,000-day plan' to turn Matsui into an elite hitter in three years, and Nagashima was always with Matsui to tirelessly practice hitting. When Matsui retired, Nagashima said, 'I have refrained from praising him openly until now, but I would like to call him the 'greatest home run hitter of the modern era.'' Matsui still reflects on the days he spent swinging the bat under Nagashima's watch and speaks of his appreciation for Nagashima. In 2004, Nagashima suffered a cerebral infarction and was left with paralysis on the right-side of his body and other aftereffects. Despite this, he continued his rehabilitation saying, 'I want to run again.' Although he was often called a genius, he was also a man of relentless effort. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 4, 2025)
Tokyo Weekender
29-05-2025
- Tokyo Weekender
Unmissable Fireworks Festivals in Japan for Summer 2025
As summer sweeps across Japan, the night skies come alive with dazzling displays of color and sound during the country's beloved fireworks festivals, known as hanabi taikai . From riverside shows in Tokyo to elaborate festivities in Tohoku, these events draw millions of spectators each year, offering an evening full of tradition, community spirit and breathtaking pyrotechnics. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned festival-goer, experiencing a hanabi festival is a must for anyone looking to soak in the magic of summer in Japan. Here are some of the most popular events happening this summer. Fireworks Festivals Happening This Summer Adachi Fireworks Festival 2025 Unlike previous years, the famous Adachi Fireworks Festival will be held in May this year for a more comfortable climate for spectators. 14,000 powerful fireworks are condensed into a one-hour display, and guests can enjoy a dynamic night sky with collaboration of fireworks and lasers. The closest fireworks display is on the Senju side, but it is highly recommended to watch from the Nishiarai side, where there is a wider riverbed. Date & Time May 31, 2025・19:20-20:20 Price Free Location Arakawa Nishiarai Bridge Green Space More Details The 44th Yokohama Open Port Festival This year marks the 44th Yokohama Port Opening Festival, a popular event for Yokohamaites to celebrate the opening of the port of Yokohama in 1859 and honor the history of their hometown. Approximately 2,500 fireworks will be shot off at Rinko Park in the grand finale of the three-day festival. The fireworks and drone shows will illuminate the night sky of the Minato Mirai area. Date & Time May 31-Jun 02・19:20~ Price Free Location Rinko Park More Details Tokyo Racecourse Fireworks 2025 The theme for 2025 is 'J-Pop Best,' and the fireworks will be set off to famous songs in keeping with the 100th anniversary of the Showa era. The fireworks will be synchronized with music on the vast horse racing track, which is approximately 2 kilometers long. All seats are reserved, so you can enjoy the fireworks in comfort without worrying about crowds, and facilities such as restrooms and food booths are available for people of all ages to enjoy the fireworks in comfort. The venue is only a short walk from the nearest station, making it easy to visit from within Tokyo. In order to bring out the world view of the music to the fullest, the fireworks display is carefully calculated in terms of color, shape, height, and even the afterglow when the fireworks fade away. The most notable feature is the dynamic fireworks display, which is shot off at a distance of only 100 meters from the bleachers. Date & Time Jul 2, 2025・19:30-20:40 Price ¥5,000 and up Location JRA Tokyo Racecourse More Details Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival 2025 With a 90-minute firework display over Asakusa, the Sumidagwa Fireworks Festival is one of the largest fireworks festival of Japan. The origin of this festival is 'Ryogoku no Kawabiraki,' which started in 1733, and it is the most prestigious fireworks festival in the Kanto area in terms of both tradition and prestige. The festival has dynamic performances by the fireworks makers, which combines the sophisticated skills of the pyrotechnicians with the emotional landscape of Edo's historic atmosphere. The fireworks competition at the first site is not to be missed, and you can enjoy different fireworks at each of the two sites, which gives you a different impression depending on where you watch the fireworks. Date & Time Jul 26, 2025・19:00-20:30 Price Free Location Taito Riverside Sports Center More Details Omagari Fireworks Festival 2025 Held in Daisen City, Akita Prefecture, the Omagari Fireworks Festival has been held since 1910, and runs as a competition of pyrotechnicians from all over Japan. The fireworks craftsmen are required to make their own fireworks and bring them to the competition, where judging will focus on design, color and creativity. The Prime Minister's Prize is also awarded in this prestigious can enjoy completely different fireworks displays in the daytime and at night. Especially, daytime fireworks are rare in Japan, and are a delicate competition in which beauty is competed not by light but by smoke. Date & Time Aug 30, 2025・17:10-21:30 Price Free Location Omono Riverside Ryokuchi Athletic Park More Details Nagaoka Fireworks Festival 2025 Held on August 2 and 3, the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is a memorial service for those who died in the Nagaoka air raids, a display of gratitude to those who worked so hard for reconstruction and a wish for lasting peace. Bleacher seats are set up on both banks of the Shinano River so that the fireworks can be viewed from both directions. This is a rare fireworks display that takes advantage of the Shinano River by using a lot of the impressive shaku-dama, or 'large-sized balls' for the fireworks display of 'Sho-Sanshaku-Dama' with the width of 650 meters and 'Phoenix for reconstruction' with the width of 2 kilometers are highlights of the spectacle. Date & Time Aug 02-03・19:20-21:10 Price Free Location Shinanogawa Kasen Park More Details Tenjin Festival 2025 With over 1,000 years of history, the Tenjin Festival at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine in Osaka is one of the three major festivals in Japan. On the first day of the event, there are prayers for safety and prosperity at the shrine, and on the second day, the festivities really kick off with parades and fireworks. With a river procession of 100 boats and a fireworks display, the Tenjin Festival is a celebratory year, an original firework named 'Benibai', which opens in the shape of an ume (plum) bowl, is launched in honor of Tenjin-sama, the goddess of mercy. There are also many other unique fireworks to be enjoyed throughout the fireworks spectacle. Date & Time Jul 24-25・15:00~ Price Free Location Kema Sakuranomiya Park More Details Tips for the Best Fireworks-Viewing Experience Arrive Early: Popular spots fill up quickly and bring a large crowd — bring a picnic blanket and stake out a good viewing location well before sunset. Wear a Yukata: Embrace the festive spirit by wearing a traditional summer kimono, often sold or rented near event areas. Bring Snacks and Drinks: Festival food is everywhere, but lines can be long. Bringing your own refreshments saves time and money, and keeps you hydrated in the summer heat. Check Transportation Plans: Trains and buses can be packed after the event, so know your route home and consider walking part of the way. Respect the Space: Clean up after yourself and follow local etiquette. Many events provide trash bags or designated bins. Related Posts Heat Waves Force Japan's Beloved Summer Festivals To Change Seasons The Explosive Traditions and Innovations of Japanese Fireworks Displays 5 Japanese Products To Save You From The Summer Heat
SoraNews24
23-05-2025
- SoraNews24
Abandoned school being used for foreign tourists to experience Japanese high school in Chiba
Relive high school for the first time. For years and years, anime has brought the Japanese high school experience to the world and undoubtedly has left many yearning to try it for themselves firsthand. However, issues such as distance, time, and the fact that some are now 30 years old, make attending a real high school in Japan nigh impossible. As luck would have it, not only is traveling to Japan cheaper and easier than ever before, but there's even a place anyone can go to get that rural Japanese high school experience all crammed into a single whirlwind day. It's called 'Kimino High School', which translates as 'Your High School' and it welcomes people of all ages from all over the world to really feel what it's like to be in both a real and dramatized school. Guests will get a full day's schedule, starting with homeroom and followed by Japanese class, Lunch, Social Studies, P.E. class in the form of a school sports festival, cleaning time, and a graduation ceremony. That is also followed by a Japanese-style festival, also often depicted in slice-of-life anime and other works. Kimino High is based on a '70s/'80s Showa era (1926-1989) high school and uses props and uniforms of the time. There might even be some no-goodniks from rival schools making an appearance and other surprises as you make your way through the day. There are also some anachronistic but fun experiences too, like sake tastings and a chance to wear a randoseru backpack, which is usually only used in elementary school. It's not just fun either. It's a way to help out the local community. Kimino High School is located at CAMPiece Kimitsu, formerly known as Kameyama Junior High School, an abandoned school that fell into disuse due to the declining population, like many across Japan, especially in rural areas like the beautiful Kimitsu City, Chiba Prefecture, where Kimono High School is located. By enrolling in Kimino High School, you're not only giving use to this underused facility, but also contributing to the rapidly shrinking economy of Kimitsu as a whole and helping the area to be revitalized. Despite being a rural area, it's only about an hour's drive from Haneda Airport and also offers camping or hot spring packages for overnight stays. The base price for the full-day school experience is 35,000 yen (US$243) per person, and classes can be held in either English or Japanese. It certainly looks like a fun and unique way to enjoy a trip to Japan or even as a getaway for people living in Japan. So, don't hesitate, stick a slice of bread in your mouth, and haul butt over to Kimino High before you're late for school. Information Kimino High School (Your High School) / 君ノ高校 Address: Chiba-ken, Kimitsu-shi, Sakahata 223-1, CAMPiece Kimitsu 千葉県君津市坂畑223-1 CAMPiece君津 Website Source: CAMPiece Kimitsu, PR Times Images: PR Times ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
