Fireworks have illuminated the night sky in northern Japan for the first time in three years with the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.

The Omagari fireworks competition in Akita Prefecture drew a big crowd to the banks of the Omono River in Daisen city on Saturday night.

Twenty-eight pyrotechnic firms from various parts of Japan took part in the 94th competition in which 18,000 fireworks were used to light up the sky.

The event climaxed with a 900-meter string of fireworks that was set off simultaneously.

The organizers named it "the Light of Dawn" to symbolize a hope for the future, as the world is still feeling the impact of the pandemic.
The number of seats for spectators was reduced to about 110,000 this year, which is about 60 percent of the usual crowd, as a precaution against the pandemic.

One spectator from Miyagi Prefecture said that he had been waiting for the event because a summer for him would not be over without having seen the Omagari fireworks.