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Top 10 Fireworks Festivals in Japan

Arguably the oldest and most historic display in Japan, Tokyo’s Sumida River Fireworks Festival dates back to the 1700s (as we mentioned above). The festival usually takes place on the last Saturday in July each year along the river. You can reach the area via Asakusa Station. The festival is also close to Tokyo’s famous Sensoji Temple. Read our guide to Visiting Asakusa for more about the area. Speaking of shrines and temples, don’t miss the fireworks at Osaka Tenjin Festival either - another great destination.2.) Lake Suwa Festival

There’s something beautiful about seeing fireworks reflecting in the still water of a beautiful lake or river - perhaps that is why there are so many festivals based at these locations? The Lake Suwa Festival in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture, launches the highest number of fireworks of any festival in Japan - 40,000 - and was originally founded in 1949 to lift the spirits of the Japanese people after the end of the Second World War. Today, it attracts half a million visitors each year. Another top recommendation for fireworks over water are those over Miyajima Island around Itsukushima Shrine - Japan’s famous floating torii gate and one of the most iconic spots in Japan. Fireworks take place at Miyajima in mid-August each year. Find out more about the floating torii gate in our Ultimate Torii Gate Tour of Japan. 3.) Biwako Fireworks Festival, Shiga Prefecture

Biwako is the largest lake in Japan and makes a beautiful backdrop to a huge fireworks display. Although Biwako is in Shiga Prefecture, it’s only half an hour from Kyoto, one of Japan’s most famous cities and a cultural hotspot. Kyoto is also easily accessible via other cities across Japan, such as Tokyo and Osaka, using your JRailPass and the Shinkansen bullet train. For more on Kyoto read our guide to Exploring the Higashiyama district.4.) Kumano Fireworks Festival

This unique ‘fireworks on the sea’ festival sees pyrotechnics launched from a boat creating a spectacular sight over the sea and coast at Shichirimihama, Kumano City, Mie Prefecture. It is another festival with a long and proud history dating back 300 years. 5.) Toyota Oiden Festival

As well as dazzling fireworks, Toyota Oiden Festival is known for its lavish costumes, dancing, and music. It is held on the last Sunday of July each year in Aichi Prefecture.6.) Omagari National Fireworks Competition

One of Japan’s biggest and most spectacular fireworks festivals, Omagari National Fireworks Competition sees up to 800,000 visitors flock to Omagari district in Daisen City, Akita Prefecture. Famous for its storytelling and visual themes, this high-level display is often said to crown the No.1 fireworks expert in Japan. The competition and festival is one of only two events in Japan to receive a Prime Minister’s Award. 7.) Akagawa Fireworks Festival

Based at Akagawa riverside in Yamagata prefecture, this festival features more than 12,000 fireworks and attracts some of Japan’s most skilled pyrotechnic experts8.) Nagaoka Fireworks Festival

This is one of three famous fireworks shows held in Niigata Prefecture and 2021 will see its 75th anniversary. Together the three shows are known as the Fireworks Festivals of Echigo. They are the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, Gion Kashiwazaki Festival, and Katakai Festival. The region loves fireworks so much, it even has winter displays too - the Echigo-Tsumari Snow Fireworks and the Tokamachi Snow Festival. Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is arguably the biggest of all and takes place over two nights in August. It features the largest fireworks shells in Japan - Sanjakudama shells - and has a signature firework called the Phoenix Shell - a symbol of rebirth and recovery introduced after the 2004 Niigata earthquake. Read our guide to Visiting Niigata Prefecture with the JR Pass for more on this area9.) Kachimai Fireworks Festival

The word ‘kachimai’ roughly translates to ‘every win’ and everyone does win when it comes to this amazing fireworks festival along the Tokachi river in Hokkaido - Japan’s northernmost island. The festival takes place near Furano and the Tokachi mountains. Furano is famous for its skiing in winter and also for its beautiful lavender in the summer. Read more in our guide to Furano - Japan’s Lavender Town. Meanwhile, for more on Hokkaido read our Five-Day Hokkaido Rail Itinerary. Hokkaido can be reached directly by rail from Tokyo, with a one-way trip taking roughly four hours using the Hokkaido Shinkansen. The trip is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Once in Hokkaido, there are a number of ways to reach Furano. If travelling from Tokyo, you can transfer at Sapporo (Hokkaido’s capital), Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, or Takikawa. 10.) Atami Maritime Fireworks

This festival in Atami Bay was also founded to raise morale after a typhoon and fire in 1949/1950 and has been going strong ever since. Atami Bay is surrounded by mountains, and it is said that the fireworks echo twice as loud because of the natural insulation.

Kaleidoscope with rising sliver trunk and blinking core by Isogai Fireworks (Aichi)

A silver trunk of light rises in the night sky as this firework is launched, bursting into bloom just as it reaches its highest point. From its sparkling center shoot eight huge petals in eight colors, as beautiful as a kaleidoscope.

Lighting and disappearing timing (kiekuchi)

When fireworks explode, the hoshi that are packed inside light up. Ideally, they all light up in the same instant and all go dark at the same time as well. Fireworks that achieve this are said to have a clean kiekuchi, or “disappearing point”.

Japanese fireworks experts have been carefully studying and refining these three characteristics of Japanese fireworks for generations, and continue striving even today to take their skills and techniques to the next level.

Color changing chrysanthemum with four cores by Beniya Aoki Fireworks (Nagano)

Elaborate techniques are used to make this ultimate artistic Japanese firework, which features four cores—each of a different color. The hoshi in each core transform, with the four layers resulting in multiple transformations in an instant.

What are Japanese Fireworks?

Fireworks are available all over the world, but Japan has become famous for its expertise, craftsmanship, and spectacular displays. There are also several types of fireworks that have become closely linked to Japan. These include:

Huge world-record holding fireworks which measure 1.2 metres and weigh hundreds of kilograms. As you might expect, the resulting explosion is a sight to see!

These fireworks take their name from the famous US waterfall and are essentially sparklers that cascade downwards from a bridge.

These mines burst into beautiful patterns in the sky, from traditional stars to more contemporary shapes like smiley faces, hearts and even Anime characters.

Top 10 Fireworks Festivals in JapanJapan loves festivals just as much as it loves fireworks. Festivals known as matsuri take place all over Japan for a wide range of reasons, from religious celebrations at shrines to honouring the dead, fertility, star crossed lovers - the list goes on and on. One of the common factors between all of these diverse festivals is that they are often fun, colourful, and bring together family, friends, and visitors. Japanese festivals have a carnival atmosphere, with food, music, games, and more, and represent a great way to experience the real Japan. Attendees even wear special clothing known as a ‘Yukata’ which is a casual summer kimono and ‘geta’ sandals. And of course, when it comes from getting from A to B in Japan, and from one festival location to another, there’s no better or more cost-effective way than the JR Pass. Of all Japan’s festivals, those involving fireworks might just be the most spectacular. Here is our list of recommendations: 1.) Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival, Tokyo

“Seating” (tama no suwari)

All firework shells launch at a different height, depending on their number. Ideally, they burst at the moment they reach their highest point. Fireworks that achieve this are said to be ”well-seated”.

Originally used to ward off evil spirits, fireworks (â‘âŒ, Hanabi) have a long history in Japan and are an integral part of Japanese summers. Hundreds of firework shows are held every year across the country, mainly during the summer holidays in July and August, with some of them drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators. On the other hand, fireworks are not typically used to celebrate New Year.

Japanese firework shells range in size from smaller ones to record-breaking Yonshakudama shells which are 1.2 meter in diameter and weigh several hundred kilograms. The most common are starmines, which are spherical shells that have a variety of burst patterns. Other unique fireworks include Niagara sparklers that are set under bridges and resemble the famous falls, and formed shells that burst into familiar shapes such as hearts and smiley faces.

A secondary attraction of Japanese fireworks is the relaxed festival atmosphere that comes with them, people dressed in yukata and streets lined by food and game stalls. The firework shows themselves typically start some time after sunset and last one to two hours. Many of the longer shows are broken up into multiple shorter segments, interrupted by the announcement of titles and sponsors. They often end with a grand finale consisting of hundreds of shells launched simultaneously.

Popular firework shows tend to be very crowded which leads to a few concerns for visitors:

The competition for good viewing spots can be quite strong, and people often show up and reserve the best spots hours in advance, especially in cities where tall buildings limit the number of spots with unobstructed views of the fireworks. Many shows offer paid seating, but tickets are usually not available on the day and are often difficult to get from outside of Japan or without Japanese language skills.

Accommodation and transportation can also pose critical concerns in case of some of the most popular displays. While large cities like Tokyo and Osaka tend to have enough hotel rooms to accommodate festival crowds, smaller cities usually get booked out months ahead of popular fireworks together with nearby cities. The lack of hotel rooms can pose a particularly serious challenge if there are no more late-night train or bus connections back into a larger city after the end of the show.

Furthermore, crowded buses and trains can pose an inconvenience especially after the end of the show. Because of traffic congestion, it is often faster and more comfortable to walk from the venue back to the nearest station instead of using shuttle buses. Note also that additional trains are often employed before and after major firework shows, but that they tend to be very crowded.

Travel agents are both a reason of and a potential solution to some of the above mentioned issues. They offer various tour packages for popular firework events that include transportation, accommodation and reserved seating, thereby blocking a large amount of local hotel rooms from individual travelers. While these packages can be a one-in-all solution to the transportation, accommodation and seating issues, they also tend to be difficult to purchase from outside of Japan and without Japanese language skills.

Below is a list of some of the most famous firework shows in Japan:

Last Saturday of July from 19:00 to 20:30 (July 27, 2024) Sumida River Fireworks Along the Sumida River around Asakusa Station

Tokyo's Sumida River Fireworks, which are recognized as one of the oldest and most famous firework displays in Japan, are launched from barges anchored along the Sumida River between Ryogoku and Asakusa. The colorful explosions are best seen from the parks along the river... that is, if you can get a seat. Otherwise the fireworks are difficult to see except in flashes and glimpses between the tall buildings of the district or when walking across bridges over the river (it is not allowed to stop and view the show from bridges, though).

Almost more appealing, however, is the great summer festival atmosphere that accompanies the fireworks. Tens of thousands of people, many dressed in yukata, stroll the streets of Asakusa, especially around Sensoji Temple, whose streets are lined with food vendors and game stalls. In addition, lots of restaurants around this old entertainment district provide outdoor seating where you can enjoy some good food and drink while catching what you can see of the fireworks.

Fourth Saturday in August from 17:10 (August 31, 2024) Omagari National Fireworks Competition Along the Marukogawa River, a 15 minute walk from Omagari Station, Akita Prefecture

Often considered the top firework show in Japan, the Omagari National Fireworks Competition is a special event to which only the best pyrotechnic teams are invited. Thousands of shells are launched throughout the event as teams compete in both day and night categories. Paid seating is available, as is shinkansen access from both Tokyo and Akita; however there are no connections back to Tokyo after the end of the show and hotels are very difficult to book in Omagari and its surrounding cities. Tour packages may make seeing the show easier.

First Saturday in November from 17:30 to 20:00 (November 2, 2024) Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition Along the Sakuragawa River, a 30 minute walk from Tsuchiura Station, Ibaraki Prefecture

Held in November, the Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition is one of the top three firework shows in Japan. As it is also one of the last major shows of the year, the pyrotechnic companies use the competition as a venue to show off their latest and best designs to the brokers in attendance who are shopping around for next summer's shows.

The fireworks can be seen from all around the city, but are best from the free or paid viewing spots along the river. The city advises arriving by mid afternoon to secure a seat, and be sure to bring a tarp to sit on as some of the viewing spots are in freshly cut fields. Paid shuttle buses (240 yen) connect the official spots to Tsuchiura Station, from where the JR Joban Line provides connections back to Tokyo until after the end of the show.

August 2 and August 3 from 19:20 to 21:10 (August 2-3, 2024) Nagaoka Fireworks Along the Shinano River, a 20 minute walk from Nagaoka Station, Niigata Prefecture

The Nagaoka Fireworks are held over two nights in August along the banks of the Shinano River. Both nights feature almost two straight hours of fireworks including some of the largest shells in Japan such as 90 cm diameter Sanjakudama shells, and the festival's signature Phoenix Shell, which has come to be a symbol of recovery after the 2004 Niigata Earthquake. The show's finale spans nearly two kilometers of the riverbank, making it one of the widest firework displays in the world.

There is lots of free seating along the riverbank facing the show, but be sure to arrive early enough to secure seats. Paid seating is also available, and tickets should be purchased in advance. The venue is a 20 minute walk from Nagaoka Station from where there are shinkansen connections to Tokyo and Niigata City, but note that it is difficult to catch the last train back to Tokyo after the end of the show. Consider staying in Nagaoka or Niigata, in which case a travel package including train, hotel and seating may be worth investigating.

The Nagaoka Fireworks are the most spectacular of three outstanding firework shows in Niigata Prefecture. The other two are held in coastal Kashiwazaki and in mountainous Katakai.

July 25 from 19:30 to 21:00 (July 25, 2024) Osaka Tenjin Fireworks Along the Ogawa River around Osakajo Kitazume, Osaka Tenmangu, Tenmabashi and Sakuranomiya Stations

Osaka's Tenjin Festival is ranked among Japan's Three Great Festivals, together with Kyoto's Gion and Tokyo's Kanda Festivals. 4000 fireworks are launched on the festival's second night (July 25) while a procession of flaming ships bearing portable shrines and people dressed in period costume travels along the Ogawa River. The fireworks, boat procession and illuminated bridges are best seen from the Minami Tenma and Kema Sakuranomiya Parks along the river.

December 3 from 19:30 to 22:00 (December 3, 2024) Chichibu Night Festival Fireworks Around Seibu Chichibu and Chichibu Stations

The Chichibu Night Festival is one of the rare occasions to see Japanese fireworks in winter. Fireworks are launched both nights of the festival, although the second night's show is bigger and longer. Paid seating is available, and while the shows can be seen from around the town, the view is often blocked by buildings. Seibu Railway provides transportation to and from Tokyo, and has late enough connections that staying over is not necessary.

Every day from late April to October from 20:45 to 21:05 (April 28 to October 31, 2024) Lake Toyako Fireworks Toyako Onsen, Hokkaido

Although nowhere as spectacular as the other shows on this list, the 20 minute long firework performances on Hokkaido's Lake Toyako are worth mentioning because they are held every single night from late April to October (except in bad weather). The fireworks are launched from a ship that slowly makes its way eastward in front of the large resort hotels along the shore. The show can be viewed from the hotel rooms facing the lake or from the lakeside park.

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