Tenjin Matsuri — Japan's Greatest Boat Festival (July 24-25)

**Viewing strategy:** Free viewing requires arriving 3–4 hours early for riverbank position — bring picnic blanket, snacks, and patience. The north bank (Kita Ward side) offers better firework views; south bank (Miyakojima side) sees boats closer. Paid seating includes boat-level platforms (¥10,000) or restaurant windows (¥8,000 with meal). For budget travelers, watch from Sakuranomiya Bridge (桜ノ宮橋) — elevated view of boats passing below, but distant from fireworks. **Festival progression:** July 24th (eve festival) features shrine ceremonies and smaller processions — fewer crowds, good preview. July 25th main event: afternoon land procession through Tenjinbashi shotengai (shopping street) with portable shrines, costumed participants, and traditional performances. Evening boat procession (船渡御 funatogyo) launches from Tenmangu Shrine area with head priest's boat leading 100+ vessels downstream. Fireworks begin at 19:00 synchronized with boat positions — the boats' lanterns reflect in water while fireworks explode above creating layered spectacle. **Photography challenges:** Crowd density makes tripod use difficult (and often prohibited in prime spots). Bring camera with image stabilization and fast lens (f/2.8 or wider). Firework photography requires balancing boat lights (foreground) with firework exposure (background) — use manual mode, 2–4 second exposures, ISO 400–800. The lantern-lit boats on dark water create high-contrast scenes challenging auto-exposure. Scout positions during daytime July 24th to plan July 25th shooting locations.