Our 2016 Tokyo Fireworks Festival Recommendations
If you are going to be in Japan for the summer, you are in luck! Japan is known for having some of the most exciting and beautiful firework displays in the world, and we are going to give you a small sample of some of the fireworks in and around Tokyo this summer.
In Tokyo, Firework Festivals are held on almost every weekend from the end of July through the end of August. Here are a few of our favorites!
Katsushika-Ku Fireworks Festival
One of the earliest firework festivals of the season and in celebration of their 50th anniversary, the Katsushika Firework Festival is certainly setting the bar high for the summer. This year, they’re increasing their total firework count to 15,000, making them not only the first, but also one of the biggest firework displays of the summer. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity!
When: July 26th, 7:20 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
Where: Katsushika City’s Shibamata Baseball Field (Shibamata Yakyuujou) and Edogawa Kasenjiki
Nearby Stations: Kanamachi Station, Shibamata Station, Shin-Shibamata Station
Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival
With over 20,000 fireworks in 1.5 hours, the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival is arguably one of the biggest and most spectacular firework displays in the world, the Sumidagawa Firework Festival is the revival of an old tradition dating back to the Edo Period (in the 1700s!) The festival goes all along the Sumidagawa River near the historic Asakusa Temple. When I went a couple of years ago, my friend and I walked over a bridge with fireworks shooting just a few meters away from us. I remember feeling some ash falling down as we crossed, but it was exhilarating traversing under fireworks as they burst right above you while seeing others explode all the way down the river. I also got to see some of the coolest and most creative fireworks: everything from hearts to flowers to Pikachu. Give it a shot, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
When: July 30th, 7:05 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
Where: Venue No. 1: Downstream from Sakurabashi Bridge and upstream from Kototoibashi Bridge
Venue No. 2: Downstream from Komagatabashi Bridge and upstream from Umayabashi Bridge
Nearby Stations: Asakusa Station, Kuramae Station
Itabashi Fireworks Festival
The 57th annual Itabashi Fireworks Festival is not pulling any stops this year. We can expect an amazing show. With about 12,000 fireworks, their undoubtedly large scale, and the inclusion of a Naigara, a long wall of fireworks, it is bound to make be quite the show. Feel free to check it out if you’re in Tokyo in early August.
When: August 6th, 7;00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
Where: Arakawa-kasenjiki Park
Nearby Stations: Kita-senju Station, Gotanno Station, Kosuge Station
Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival
The Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival has over 12,000 fireworks this year and is always a favorite. This year, the fireworks show is also raising money for the victims of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and the Kumamoto Earthquake that happened earlier this year. Come support a great cause and enjoy some beautiful fireworks.
When: August 20th, 7;30 – 8:30
Where: Meiji Jingu Gaien
Nearby Stations: Sendagaya Station, Shinanomachi-Station, Yoyogi Station, Gaienmae Station
Final Tip: Depending on which fireworks festivals you go to you may be able to participate in some festival activities and enjoy some festival foods. You have your standard carnival games, but you can also take part in goldfish fishing (which is harder than it sounds) and even rent yukatas (standard summer festival kimonos). You can also try takoyaki (fried octopus in a dough ball), yakisoba (fried noodles), and much more. We can’t guarantee that every festival will have food stalls or activities, but if they do, try it all out!
In Tokyo, Firework Festivals are held on almost every weekend from the end of July through the end of August. Here are a few of our favorites!
Katsushika-Ku Fireworks Festival
One of the earliest firework festivals of the season and in celebration of their 50th anniversary, the Katsushika Firework Festival is certainly setting the bar high for the summer. This year, they’re increasing their total firework count to 15,000, making them not only the first, but also one of the biggest firework displays of the summer. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity!
When: July 26th, 7:20 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
Where: Katsushika City’s Shibamata Baseball Field (Shibamata Yakyuujou) and Edogawa Kasenjiki
Nearby Stations: Kanamachi Station, Shibamata Station, Shin-Shibamata Station
Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival
With over 20,000 fireworks in 1.5 hours, the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival is arguably one of the biggest and most spectacular firework displays in the world, the Sumidagawa Firework Festival is the revival of an old tradition dating back to the Edo Period (in the 1700s!) The festival goes all along the Sumidagawa River near the historic Asakusa Temple. When I went a couple of years ago, my friend and I walked over a bridge with fireworks shooting just a few meters away from us. I remember feeling some ash falling down as we crossed, but it was exhilarating traversing under fireworks as they burst right above you while seeing others explode all the way down the river. I also got to see some of the coolest and most creative fireworks: everything from hearts to flowers to Pikachu. Give it a shot, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
When: July 30th, 7:05 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
Where: Venue No. 1: Downstream from Sakurabashi Bridge and upstream from Kototoibashi Bridge
Venue No. 2: Downstream from Komagatabashi Bridge and upstream from Umayabashi Bridge
Nearby Stations: Asakusa Station, Kuramae Station
Itabashi Fireworks Festival
The 57th annual Itabashi Fireworks Festival is not pulling any stops this year. We can expect an amazing show. With about 12,000 fireworks, their undoubtedly large scale, and the inclusion of a Naigara, a long wall of fireworks, it is bound to make be quite the show. Feel free to check it out if you’re in Tokyo in early August.
When: August 6th, 7;00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
Where: Arakawa-kasenjiki Park
Nearby Stations: Kita-senju Station, Gotanno Station, Kosuge Station
Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival
The Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival has over 12,000 fireworks this year and is always a favorite. This year, the fireworks show is also raising money for the victims of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and the Kumamoto Earthquake that happened earlier this year. Come support a great cause and enjoy some beautiful fireworks.
When: August 20th, 7;30 – 8:30
Where: Meiji Jingu Gaien
Nearby Stations: Sendagaya Station, Shinanomachi-Station, Yoyogi Station, Gaienmae Station
Final Tip: Depending on which fireworks festivals you go to you may be able to participate in some festival activities and enjoy some festival foods. You have your standard carnival games, but you can also take part in goldfish fishing (which is harder than it sounds) and even rent yukatas (standard summer festival kimonos). You can also try takoyaki (fried octopus in a dough ball), yakisoba (fried noodles), and much more. We can’t guarantee that every festival will have food stalls or activities, but if they do, try it all out!