The fireworks around the Noevir Stadium pitch lit up as the players made their entrance.
The fireworks on the pitch took slightly longer.
With an open roof and a number of upgrades in place for this fall's Rugby World Cup, the hallowed Kansai ground played host to 25,172 fans and a game with plenty of star power but just one goal as David Villa's second-half effort gave Vissel Kobe a narrow win over struggling Sagan Tosu.