Fireworks festivals are perfect for a yukata date, a picnic get-together, or a pleasant surprise on your unusually busy walk home. Held throughout the summer in Japan, they will knock the socks off anything you’ve seen before — especially if you’re lucky enough to see one of the competitive events attended by national and international pyrotechnic companies.
Tokyo fireworks festivals
In Tokyo, there are huge festivals like Asakusa’s Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival and smaller ones held in quieter suburbs. Depending on your capacity to tolerate crowds, you’ll want to choose carefully.
The biggest fireworks festivals will be extremely busy, so be prepared for stand-still crowds and a shoulder-to-shoulder picnic experience.
Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival: The big one
20,000 fireworksJuly 29, 2023
Asakusa
If you only go to one Tokyo fireworks festival, make it the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival in Asakusa. And what comes with all that is equally intense crowds. Roughly a million people from far and wide come to see the spectacle from just about any vantage point possible — river boats, rooftops, or just elbow to elbow in the streets.
But don’t let the crowds put you off: the 20,000(!) fireworks — in every shape and color imaginable — make up for it. This particular festival dates back to 1733, so it’s rich with history, tradition, and intense competition between pyrotechnic companies trying to outdo one another.
For tips on visiting, check out our Sumidagawa Fireworks survival guide.
Not-so Cheapo tip: Want to go the bougie route? Consider booking a cruise.
Other major Tokyo fireworks festivals
Adachi Fireworks Festival
15,000 fireworksJuly 22, 2023
Kita-Senju
The Adachi Fireworks Festival sees around 15,000 rocket-type fireworks blasting off into the night sky. It’ll last for an hour and takes place along the Arakawa River — specifically, near Nishi-Araibashi Park. It has been going strong for more than four decades.
Katsushika Fireworks Festival
20,000 fireworksJuly 25, 2023
Shibamata
Also known as the Katsushika Noryo Hanabi, this event will take place at the Shibamata Baseball Field, about 10 minutes away from Shibamata Station. While it takes place on a weekday night, it should still manage to attract quite a crowd, what with its 20,000 fireworks lighting up the sky. It’s been going on for over 50 years.
Edogawa Fireworks Festival
14,000 fireworksAugust 5, 2023
Edogawa
Another one of Tokyo’s older fireworks festivals, the Edogawa Fireworks Festival has been lighting up the skies for over 40 years. It’s a bit of a walk from either Koiwa Station (25 minutes) or Shinozaki Station (15 minutes) to the venue: the Edogawa Riverbank. About 14,000 fireworks will go off set to music and grouped according to different themes.
Itabashi Fireworks Festival
13,000 fireworksAugust 5, 2023
Itabashi
The Itabashi Fireworks Festival is a bit longer than most Tokyo fireworks events. The event area, the south banks of the Itabashi River, is around a 20-minute walk from the nearest train stations. The festival promises some extra special fireworks, so make sure to get your best shot of the fireworks. The event is free, but reserved seating options are also available.
Jingugaien Fireworks Festival
10,000 fireworksAugust 12, 2023
Jingugaien
With 10,000 fireworks, this event was started as a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the opening of Tokyo’s famous shrine, Meiji Jingu. There will be performances from various artists and tickets are required for seats in Jingu Stadium and Chichibunomiya Rugby Field, but you can still see a bit of the fireworks for free if you’re around the area. Gaienmae and Aoyama-itchome Station are close to the venue.
Chofu City Fireworks Festival
10,000 fireworksSeptember 24, 2023
Chofu
This event is one of the last fireworks sessions of the summer season. Expect the Tama River to light up with 10,000 fireworks. There will be large crowds as around 350,000 spectators gather at the riverside near Keio-Tamagawa Station.
Tamagawa Fireworks Festival
6,000 fireworksOctober 21, 2023
Futakotamagawa
Despite the modest number of fireworks, this is another of the popular ones. While the fireworks have taken place in August in the past, they have now been moved permanently to October. It will be held around the Futakotamagawa area, just above the Tama River. The fireworks will be set off to music, and there will be a photo contest as well.
The festival gets crowded extremely quickly, so stake out a location as early as possible (or you can pay for a reserved seat if you’ve got the funds). Note that the event will be canceled in case of bad weather, with no postponement date.
Tokyo local fireworks festivals
Smaller festivals offer a chiller, local experience — one that’s especially good for families.
Showa Kinen Park Fireworks Festival
5,000 fireworksJuly 29, 2023
Tachikawa
Taking place at the spacious, beautiful Showa Kinen Park/Showa Memorial Park, this small-scale event features 5,000 fireworks. While entrance to the park is free from 6 p.m., entering the park before then is recommended if you want to stake out a better spot.
The organizers estimate that crowds will start to gather at 5 p.m., so try to arrive earlier than that — you could even stroll around if you arrive early enough. The park is great for a picnic, so why not try to enjoy a dinner accompanied by fireworks?
Hachioji Fireworks Festival
3,000 fireworksJuly 29, 2023
Hachioji
This event is a small one, with 3,500 fireworks brightening the skies above Fujimori Park, 15 minutes away from Nishi-Hachioji Station.
Koto Fireworks Festival
6,000 fireworksAugust 11, 2023
Minamisuna
Prepare to see about 6,000 fireworks at Sunamachi Mizube Park near the Arakawa River, a 15-minute walk from Minami-Sunamachi Station. Starting as a small fireworks festival, it has grown in size in recent years and is now a bustling event. The venue is limited to 10,000 people with all reserved seating.
Ome City 75th Noryo Fireworks Festival
4,000 fireworksAugust 5, 2023
Ome
This festival was started to celebrate the arrival of Toei buses in 1948 and so is a very local fireworks festival. Held at Nagayama Park, a 10-minute walk from JR Ome Station, the display will run from will feature exactly 4,245 shots — count ’em. All seats are paid.
Pro tip: For more options, check out these fireworks festivals in Yokohama.
This post was published in 2015 and is updated annually. Last update: June 2023. While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.
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