Matsushima and Sendai fireworks

Nice places … – Somewhere people want to live. Usually a bit outside the big business centers, but still close enough to be reached as a retreat.

Voted one of Japans three most scenic views Matsushima is one of those places.
Unfortulately it got hit by an earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Fortunately one of the reasons why this town has been selected are the many pine clad islands in it’s bay. So even though the sea came in at more than 3m high most of the power was lost on those islands. And despite the water damage, the town was able to reconstruct pretty fast.
There are multiple little temples scattered around the small islands close to the town. Reachable with red bridges. Each temple allowing for it’s own view of the bay.
The tour with the big sightseeing ship sounded a bit forced though. Telling us the name of this little island and that little island. And that island over there inamed somethin is inhabited. But maybe that’s the way it is done here.

After that thorough dose of sunshine, it was time to get back to Sendai. At nightfall a big fireworks display was planned. Streets were blocked off for the arrival of the many people walking toward the festival grounds. Police were asking people to move over to the left street side of a multi lane road towards the festival grounds. We kept on the right side and did not go all the way. So no fun in the big crowds for us.
The point where we stopped was way back which seemed to limit the possibility of seeing the fireworks.  Well it was only true in the sense we couldn’t see the lower parts. But whatever shot high in the sky was very visible. Trying to take some pictures we stood all over the closed road. Which the police did not like too much. Whenever people started to clog the street they came by using their handheld megaphones telling people to move on. The spots at the curb, however, did not have that handicap. Luckily. So we were able to listen to the story, which was interspersed with the light show in the sky.

And now for the people that made it more to the front. First, the lawn seemed like a good idea.  But the starting point of the rockets was still a ways further away and not right on the other side of the river. Then there were the trees. Trying to get closer to the action  by crossing the bridge turned out to be a mistake. As standing on the bridge was not allowed (see blocking the street above) and once the other side was reached the way went back over the bridge again to the other side. So the win of getting closer was lost by the route turning back.