The first time I was ever asked to go see a fireworks display with someone I said, "Sure, why not?" I obviously did not exude enough enthusiasm. Fireworks are such a big deal in Japan they warrant festivals where young women don summer kimono and eat from food stalls on the street among thousands of other festival-goers.
Whereas on my planet, the United States, fireworks are related to special events, in Japan they are an essential part of summer. Everyone, young and old, after having frozen to death in their cold houses all winter long, looks forward to the summer season when they can defrost the dog and thaw out and revive Grandma.
It shouldn't be such a surprise that Japanese love fireworks. There's something about the Japanese and light that makes me wonder if they aren't part insect. City lights, neon, flashing pachinko lights or fireworks, Japanese love things that glow. Even inside Japanese houses the light is fluorescent white. But especially anything shiny and sparkly catches the Japanese eye.