Back to Nagaoka's fireworks, with flowers and food on the journey
The fireworks were so large that Haruru could not fit them all into the camera's view. Returning to Nagaoka after two years, she felt overwhelmed in the best way and came home with new energy. The overnight bus journey also left plenty of memories of flowers and food.
Personal accounts shared in August 2024: everyday meals before departure, followed by memories of an overnight fireworks tour.
Favourite food while looking forward to the weekend
A few days before the journey, Haruru was already looking forward to the weekend's Nagaoka fireworks. Her everyday food notes from that time began with takoyaki from Kukuru, a lunch she had not had for a while. The red octopus-shaped packaging carries the name くくる and KUKURU.
She also enjoyed Baskin-Robbins ice cream, using a gift that she wanted to redeem before it expired. Then she was back for ramen at さつまっこ, still delighted by a bowl she had become very fond of. These were the meals in her notes before setting off, with the fireworks trip still ahead of her.
Fireworks too large for the camera
Haruru had been to Nagaoka in 2022 and Lake Suwa in 2023. In 2024 she chose Nagaoka again, remembering how strongly the earlier display had moved her. This time, too, the fireworks were directly in front of her seat and felt enormous.
She tried to record them, but they were too big to fit within the camera's view. Watching the display left her deeply moved. Everyday concerns seemed smaller for a while, and she felt that she had received a great deal of energy from the evening. She hoped she would be able to return the following year.
A full breakfast and green summer scenery
The overnight tour included a hotel stay and a generous breakfast. Haruru remembered eating a great deal that morning. Her tray photo brings together small portions of different dishes, rice, salad, fruit, bowls and a pot of yogurt.
Other pictures from the journey show the broad white hotel building beneath a blue sky and a green hillside seen through glass. Chairlift structures cross the slope, while indoor lights are reflected in the window. Alongside the bright nighttime fireworks, these were the quieter summer views she brought home from the trip.
A lavender stop and two memorable noodle dishes
At the lavender-field stop, Haruru tried lavender ramen. Her flower photo is full of colour, with bands of flowers stretching towards trees beneath white clouds. The ramen has purple noodles in a pale broth, with an egg, a slice of lemon and colourful toppings.
Another meal she remembered was cold beef oroshi okkirikomi. The photo shows broad noodles beneath beef, sliced green onions and seaweed in a dark dish. Even after her substantial breakfast, there had been plenty more to enjoy along the journey.
She also remembered bread on the bus, shaved ice and snacks. By the end of the overnight trip, she was laughing at how much she had managed to eat. The huge fireworks and those small food pleasures together made it a happy break before returning to everyday life.
Sources for this account
Haruru's personal accounts from August 2024, edited and shared with her permission.