Photo/Illutration Fireworks light up the night sky over the illuminated torii gate at Itsukushimajinja shrine on Jan. 14. (Jun Ueda)

HATSUKAICHI, Hiroshima Prefecture--About 300 dazzling fireworks lit up the cold winter night near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Itsukushimajinja shrine here on Jan. 14.

The pyrotechnics were set off from a boat at sea to celebrate the completion of restoration work on the giant torii gate at the shrine built over the water on Miyajima island. 

It was the first fireworks display since the summer of 2019. 

The show began nearly half a century ago and attracted more than 50,000 spectators each year before the pandemic. In April 2021, however, it was decided to abolish the annual summer event due to security issues as well as COVID-19 restrictions.

Then, the city government and other organizations planned to hold the event in winter this year to boost tourism in the off-season.

Firework shows are also scheduled on Jan. 21 and 28, starting at 6 p.m. They may be canceled in the event of bad weather.

Along with the fireworks, the Miyajima Winter Evening Market will be offered along the Miyajima Sanbashi shopping street, with more than 30 shops offering food, drinks and craft workshops. The market will be open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Another fireworks show is scheduled for Feb. 12 starting from 6 p.m. at Miyahama Onsen on the opposite side of the strait.

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