(Jim Schulz/Stars and Stripes)

Atsugi, Japan, June 20, 2003: Hanabi (fireworks) craftsmen roll smaller balls of fireworks to make sure they are tight. The process of sealing the fireworks takes days as they add a layer of paper, let it dry and press it tight. Crates of hanabi balls are separated into the different colors they will blow up as.

Read about the process of creating the beautiful balls of fire here.

Want to know where you can see the final firework explode this summer? Check out Stars and Stripes’ Community sites.

Fireworks in Okinawa: https://okinawa.stripes.com/travel/okinawa-lights-night-sky-0