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  Opportunity for sophisticated Japanese Culture  
     
  Japanese Fireworks Festivals  
     
  During the summer in Japan fireworks festivals are held nearly everyday someplace in the country, in total numbering more than 200 during the month of August. The festivals consist of large fireworks shows, the largest of which use more than 12,000 rounds (Tondabayashi city, Osaka), and can attract more than 800,000 spectators. Both men and women wear Yukata, summer Kimono (women only), or Jimbei and attend these events, collecting in large social circles of family or friends to sit picnic-like, eating and drinking, while watching the show.  
     
      
        
     
  Yukata
A yukata is a Japanese garment, a casual summer kimono usually made of cotton. People wearing yukata are a common sight in Japan at fireworks displays, bon-odori festivals, and other summer events. The yukata is also frequently worn after bathing at traditional Japanese inns. Though their use is not limited to after-bath wear, yukata literally means bath(ing) clothes.
 
     
  Jimbei
A jimbei are usually worn as a form of nightwear or house wear. Normally, male Japanese would wear jimbei only within their own homes, or outside the home when in close proximity to it (for example, to collect the mail or go on a local errand). Sometimes jimbei are used as substitute for yukata during a summer festival, typically by men and boys but also frequently by young women. Ladies' jimbei tend to be more brightly coloured and often feature prints of popular culture characters and motifs.