00:00:00 John Daub: Hello everybody! Greetings! Yōkoso! Omagari, Akita! This is Akita Prefecture. Omagari is the name of the town we're in. This is Fireworks City. In about five minutes, we're starting a live stream of the Omagari Fireworks Festival—all around the world. Welcome to everybody wherever you are. Tell me which country you're watching from. You're really going to enjoy this.

00:00:32 John Daub: If you've never been to a Japanese fireworks event called a hanabi taikai (fireworks festival), you're gonna love this. Look at my mask—fireworks. This event has been somewhat subdued. Every season, Omagari has a fireworks festival. Unlike most municipalities around Japan that have them only in summer, here they have it four times a year. Three have already been cancelled. There's nobody around. Three of the four festivals this year were cancelled—this is the first one going on.

00:01:10 John Daub: The Only in Japan community crowdfunded this festival. Big shout out to the 800-plus people who backed it—we raised almost 50,000 US dollars to put on this show. Within the Omagari Fireworks Festival, there's going to be an Only in Japan fireworks display. They've been giving us shoutouts on the screen up there, saying thank you so much to Only in Japan. That means a lot to me and the community.

00:01:40 John Daub: The fireworks community in Japan lost 5.6 billion dollars because of the pandemic. A lot of people are hurting everywhere. I love fireworks and made a strong connection with people in the fireworks community here. When the chance arose to put on a festival, I asked how much they'd need. We went to Kickstarter, hit our goal in less than 10 days, and doubled it. We're putting on a second one on October 21st.

00:02:32 John Daub: Here's the Omagari program for this year. Inside, there's the Only in Japan section—that's me. Messages like "things are looking up, hope in the night skies." And "an Omagari show about cherry blossoms born just like the ONE," about us bringing this to Omagari, Japan, and the world. Thank you so much for funding this, bringing us here to live stream. In about a minute, it's starting. You'll see the sky light up wherever you are in the world.

00:03:16 John Daub: Whether you've lost your job or a loved one, things are difficult. For the next hour, put those thoughts away and focus on the light in the sky. I'm going to try not to talk too much—I'll explain. This is Omagari, part of Daisen City, incorporated from five towns in 2005. This is their 15th anniversary party. The Omagari hanabi team gave me an area to record for the documentary I'm making—we have our own spot.

00:04:35 John Daub: Okay, everybody, enjoy fireworks. May the Force be with you. Thank you to Edo in the Netherlands, Jeff Ang, Wyan from Switzerland, Sean 808 mahalo, Kawaguchi, Queen of Tacos, Katayama, Takaiichi Tanaka, Hawaii is watching, heir to the ron, Tony P is here.

00:05:46 John Daub: That's about 150-200 meters. Wow, what an opening—sort of a message that everything's going to be okay.

00:08:23 John Daub: Okay, tough year we had, but what a nice start. This was the opening ceremony. Greetings from the president of the Omagari Fireworks—he wants you to enjoy this. Thank you, Raymond. Next up is Act 1: competition of shakudama (watermelon-shaped fireworks) and creative fireworks. Four companies competing for top position. That A645 is the Only in Japan fireworks. Awesome.

00:10:43 John Daub: Omagari Fireworks, Aki no Shō (Autumn Show), Kōmyō opening fireworks. This is from JR Higashinihon? T-Bird 387 from Memphis, Tennessee. Matt Hatta, Andrew from Fort Wayne—nice to see you. Cynthia Champlin, welcome. You're in Japan with me, everybody. What an ending.

00:13:37 John Daub: That was the opening ceremony—music choice, I didn't choose it, don't blame me. Next up is the shakudama creative competition. Shakudama are size 10, watermelon-shaped fireworks that are massive. Four companies competing. Shakudama go up about 300 meters—you need a wide lens. We have two shakudama in our presentation at 6:45.

00:15:03 John Daub: That's a shakudama—whoa, those are massive. I like the colors—everything specially done. You can feel it, and with limited audience, people are clapping. Shakudama, holy smokes, that was big.

00:21:15 John Daub: We can feel each boom deep in your gut, like a taiko drum—it wakes you up. This is the third of four in the shakudama competition. Each company shoots up shakudama and does a little fireworks display.

00:24:56 John Daub: Seeing the colors and attention to detail—it was amazing. I liked the music with that one. That was number four—you could really feel it. I like the delicate red lingering. Now our Only in Japan shakudama—big watermelon size going up. That one had real distance.

00:28:17 John Daub: That was number four. Short interval now—next is Interval Hanabi, Tanjō 15th Anniversary, Daisen City. Really emotional right now—didn't think this day would come. Beautiful night, no typhoon, no wind, perfect temperatures. Fireworks in autumn are better—no humidity, clouds don't linger, sky is clearer. October is great for fireworks. Happy birthday Daisen—tanjō omedetō gozaimasu.

00:32:34 John Daub: That was beautiful—I'm starting to tear up. So emotional. You guys are all here in Japan with me. A lot of you cancelled trips—thanks for joining. Victory Gardener, big screen would be nice. Next is the Future Star Show from Hibikiya—five parts for the next 15 minutes. Our show starts in 15 minutes—no food stands because of the pandemic, but we'll celebrate after.

00:41:28 John Daub: Next, Sōsō Hanabi, Viva Okano Festa—we're next. About 7 minutes from now, Only in Japan fireworks start. I'm filming for the documentary, Kanae's with you—I'll probably be shouting yee-haw in the background.

00:43:28 John Daub: We're 5 minutes from Only in Japan fireworks. Energy is born—enjoy, guys.

00:47:41 John Daub: Ah, they're talking about me—Only in Japan! Nice message. It's our fireworks—to the Only in Japan Fireworks Festival from around the world. We love Japanese hanabi!

00:52:32 John Daub: Producer, thank you for your time. The big turn, the show of autumn, third round—we got a standing ovation. Filled with emotion—tough year for us, restarting the channel. I think I filmed it pretty good. Thanks for the support. Doesn't seem long, but a lot of fireworks, especially that finale—awesome. Enjoy the rest of Omagari fireworks.

00:53:33 John Daub: We're gonna have like 10 of those in Katakai. Subscribe to the channel, everybody. Kanpai. Thanks to all the supporters—Sakura, Tdstr, DJ Sticks88, DJ Midori, Sam, Michael Tran, Jerry Cho Chang, Dittmer, for a better year ahead. Jay, thanks so much. Tamaya, Aishui, Shajan, Matthew, Hikaru Katayama, James Granger—feels like you're there. You are here with us.

00:55:01 John Daub: Whoa, I could feel the heat. Ken Rutley from Halifax, Gerald Augustine. Ocean's Rain, Chiba—shūgo no sakuhin desu (masterpiece). So high. Wide camera and zoomed one. Satameyuki, Asamizu—Kazuomi no sakuhin desu. The screen—Kanae, matane, itte kimasu. Aori Tsuki, Ruki, Katsuo, Toshiaki no sakuhin desu. That'll wake Danny up in Quebec—kowai gozaimasu.

00:56:46 John Daub: Walking straight to the front—Nobori Kyokudō Tsuki, Yaeshi Hikisaki, Benihina desu. Finale gonna be amazing—you're right underneath. Omagari no Hanabi, Aki no Shō, Wakate Hanabishi, shakudama kyōen. Big shakudama right underneath.

00:57:55 John Daub: Alright, this is the finale—are you ready? Right underneath. Click like and subscribe—we can get 2,000 likes.

00:58:49 John Daub: This is the finale—let's get thumbs up. Here we go, holding my breath. What an ending—are you ready? This finale will blow you away. Mori Masataka promotes Akita—he made it famous. You all are with us in Japan for this moment. Forget the tough stuff, focus on the beautiful lights—hope in the sky.

01:01:25 John Daub: I can feel it coming—the finale. My heart is racing. Music so inspirational, felt emotional. All festivals cancelled this year, but this feels like hope. We've been looking forward to this. Hope everybody's feeling better—things will return to normal. Stay safe, look out for families. Everything's gonna get better. Thanks to everybody who made this possible.

01:05:31 John Daub: A lot of people lost a lot—I feel it from your messages. Even without festivals, you'll see this launching spot. Star Wars music—blah blah, sorry Disney, don't ban the stream. Stop playing copyright music—John Williams will get angry.

01:10:30 John Daub: The width of that fireworks was amazing—one kilometer long, peripheral vision full of light. Wonderful music at the end—what an ending. Thanks for support, entire Only in Japan family. Thumbs up—maybe we'll do this again next year. Never done a mega project like this—feels good. You guys enjoying with us makes me happy.

01:18:38 John Daub: Akino Shō—not done yet? Final program ended. Staff waving sticks to say thank you. Only in Japan, John Daub—meika's sponsor. Everybody waving light sticks to the fireworks staff.

01:20:23 John Daub: Thank you so much! Those fireworks at the end symbolize closure. See the staff waving light sticks to say thank you? Tribute to you for the support—nice that they do this at Omagari.

01:21:44 John Daub: What an amazing end! How are you all doing? Special experience—this is the only hanabi taikai not cancelled. We could come together, stop thinking about bad stuff, focus on hope. Heard from viewers hurting, lost family—my heart goes out. Fireworks staff waving—Kanae, hold that.

01:23:42 John Daub: That's the end of the Only in Japan fireworks at Omagari. Hope we do this next year—thumbs up, subscribe, comment what you thought. Comparable to your country's fireworks? How did you feel? Arigatō gozaimasu—thanks for making this possible. Another festival October 21st in Katakai, Niigata—stretch goal funded more fireworks. Meet Honda-san, maker of yonshakudama (4-shaku watermelon fireworks).

01:25:00 John Daub: Part one of two—subscribe, like. As people leave, we'll pack up, go to restaurant for nice dinner thanks to you. Applause for US watchers in the middle of the night—hope it brings happy day. Crowd control amazing, orderly, social distancing, masks—everybody doing their best in Japan. Take care of yourself and family. Emotional now—thank you. Matane.