Sumida River Fireworks Festival 2012

Japan's oldest recorded fireworks festival dates back to 1733, when it was staged as part of a ceremony to pray for victims of a severe famine the previous year. These historical associations may explain why, although the Edogawa, Itabashi and Tamagawa fireworks displays were all cancelled in the wake of March 11 last year, the Sumida River's still went ahead – albeit a month later than usual. Things are back to normal this year, with similar numbers of fireworks (a whopping 20,000) and spectators (up to a million people) expected. Note that the display will be postponed until Sunday if the weather is poor.