While doing kimono shopping this morning at the Shimoda Mall, one of the other shoppers from base mentioned that there was a festival today. About 20 minutes north of Misawa is a town called Tohoku where fireworks were to take place over the huge lake in our area, Lake Ogawara. We headed over!

During summer festivals, many Japanese people will year yukata, which is a light cotton outfit meant for housewear, errands, and festivals. It’s certainly not mandatory though and totally up to you! Some people wear more traditional outfits, some don’t, even within the same family. One amazing facet of Japan is how seamlessly the old can live with the new.

The fireworks display was absolutely gorgeous.