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In 2003, Yokosuka City decided to organize and carry out a large summer public festival event which it called: "Kai-koku Sai" (開国際).  Kai-koku means "opening the country" and it refers to the arrival of U.S. Navy warships (called 黒船/Kuro-fune, "Black Ships"), under the command of Commodore Mathew Perry, to open-up Japan to foreign visitors and international commerce (see the link below for more information).  2003 was the 150th anniversary of that event.  One major attraction during the Kai-koku Sai festivals was a large-scale fireworks display (花火, Hana-bi), which attracted tens of thousands of outside visitors in addition to local residents.  A unique aspect of Yokosuka's Kai-koku Sai fireworks is that they are launched from rafts which float in Tokyo Bay.  The rafts are anchored in a water area located between Saru-Shima and Umi Kaze Park (related links provided below).  Starting in 2023, as Japan returned to normal after COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were relaxed, the Kai-koku Sai fireworks event was rescheduled from August to October, when the weather is cooler.  This year, the fireworks festival will be held on October 5th (Sunday), from 17:55~18:30.  Approximately 10,000 fireworks will be launched, making it one of the largest displays in the Miura Peninsula area.  The fireworks can be seen from various spots within the U.S. Navy Base -- but the best viewing area is around Umi Kaze park, although it gets very crowded.  Of note, the event will be cancelled in case of stormy winds.  We hope you will get a chance to go see it!

 An advertisement video can be seen here: よこすか開国花火大会2025 3min_

Written by Good field

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LINKS:

Commodore Perry and the Black Ships:
Commodore Matthew Perry and the "Black Ships"｜Off Base Housing Yokosuka | IINO REAL ESTATE is for rental housing in Yokosuka Japan...Civilian, Military house agency

Saru-shima -- Monkey Island:
"Saru-shima" (猿島) -Monkey Island!｜Off Base Housing Yokosuka | IINO REAL ESTATE is for rental housing in Yokosuka Japan...Civilian, Military house agency

Umi Kaze Park:
"Umi Kaze Koen"（うみかぜ公園）｜Off Base Housing Yokosuka | IINO REAL ESTATE is for rental housing in Yokosuka Japan...Civilian, Military house agency

Kai-koku Sai website:
【公式】よこすか開国花火大会2025