RIKUZENTAKATA, Iwate -- The 2021 Sanriku Fireworks Competition was held in this northeast Japan city on Oct. 9 to light up the coastal areas of the Sanriku region in Tohoku, which is still recovering from the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. About 12,000 spectators who purchased tickets in advance enjoyed the colorful show.

       Last year, local volunteers held a display of about 10,000 fireworks to draw attention to the disaster-hit area once again. This year, it was renewed as a competition where 23 fireworks companies from all over Japan were evaluated with scores, and was held at Takatamatsubara sports park in the Iwate Prefecture city of Rikuzentakata.

       Due to the spread of the coronavirus, many fireworks festivals around the country had to be cancelled or postponed this year. Families and couples visiting from the surrounding areas were left in awe by the huge fireworks that lit up the night sky for the first time in a while since the pandemic.

       (Japanese original by Natsuki Nishi, Photo Group)

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