Okazaki fireworks
Okazaki is famous for fireworks, perhaps the most famous in Japan. Back in the 1600s, when the Tokugawa Shogunate was established, the stronghold of the family centered around the Mikawa region. Also a strategically important area because of its central location, the grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu banned the production of gunpowder outside certain areas of Aichi, Gifu, Shizuoka and Niigata. This ensured that the family maintained a stranglehold on the production of gunpowder, and the technology required to do so.

Okazaki fireworks

Aug 5, 2006 - 15 Photos

Nagoya station
Two skyscrapers Nagoya Towers before JR Nagoya station.

Ieyasu parade
Ieasu parade is held every year in the spring in Okazaki city. The man who unified Japan on the beginning of 17 century, Tokugawa Ieyasu, was born here.

Narrow house
But not only new big appartament scyscrapers, also many small houses you can find in Japan. One of really narrow house is here in Okazaki. I think that picture tell it all.

Apartment building construction
Because of technology advance, Japan can now build high buildings, which are resistant even to strong earthquakes. Many of those building foundations are special gum bumpers, so the earthqake vibrations can be reduced significantly. This one is a new apartment building near main Nagoya station.

Old factory building
This is part of the old factory adjoining The Yamasa Institute. The factory had a rich history and contribued also to the development of the local area, all of which is now being redeveloped. There are plans to build a new factory somewhere else in the city, but for this part of Okazaki manufacturing will be a memory. I like this picture, because it has some kind of romantic feel in it.

Demolishing the wall
I`m back. Because of the JR Okazaki area reconstruction, yesterday the wall of Hattori Kogyo company was removed. They will broaden the road. Anytime when something old is wanishing, I can`t help myself feel a little sad.