‘Star Castle, a Brighter Tomorrow’, the 33rd Citizen Creation Hakodate Outdoor Theater performed by local volunteers, began at Goryokaku Park in the city of Hakodate in southern Hokkaido on July 11. Approximately 100 people gave impassioned performances in the 60-minute review of Hakodate’s history, including the arrival of the black ships and the Battle of Hakodate. Last year, the Coronavirus pandemic resulted in the performances being cancelled for the first time since they began in 1988 but this year, Hakodate’s traditional summer spectacle will return for the first time in 2 years with thorough anti-infection measures.

　This year, the performers wear masks, audience seating has been reduced to 84 – one fifth of the capacity under normal circumstances – and performances are 15 minutes shorter. As the scale of the theater has been reduced, admission is free and performances will be during the daytime rather than at night.

　There was a full capacity on the first day of performances, in which the audience was welcomed by a large ring of waving performers and colorful fireworks amid rapturous applause. Performances will be held every Sunday from 3 p.m. until August 8.