A Must-Experience Summer Night in Japan: Complete Fireworks Festival Guide

Fireworks are the most iconic representation of Japanese summer, with numerous displays held across the country from July each year. Among them, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival in Tokyo is the most popular, attracting many tourists every year. At the same time, young girls take this rare opportunity to wear summer yukata and stroll gracefully in wooden geta, enjoying the cool evening. The festival grounds are surrounded by traditional snacks and childhood toys, creating a lively mini-market.

Generally, the quality of fireworks can be judged by launch height, burst size, and consistency in fading. Japan has a long history of fireworks, and during the Edo period, festivals in Mikawa, Yoshida (now Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture), and Hitachi-Mito (now Sanmachi, Ibaraki Prefecture) were known as the Three Great Fireworks Festivals. However, over time, the current top three are considered to be the “National Fireworks Competition—Omagari Fireworks” (Akita), the “Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks Display” (Niigata Prefecture), and the “Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition” (Ibaraki Prefecture). Both Omagari and Tsuchiura have gained widespread fame for winning the Prime Minister’s Cup, while Nagaoka is known for its artistic and distinctive fireworks. Below are the dates for this year’s fireworks festivals—make sure to plan your visit accordingly.

The Omagari National Fireworks Competition, one of Japan’s top three fireworks festivals, will take place on the evening of August 24 from 17:00–17:45 and 18:50–21:30. With 18,000 fireworks lighting up the night sky, the display will captivate visitors along the right bank of the Omonogawa River. The venue is a 30-minute walk from JR Omagari Station.

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival will be held on the evenings of August 2 and 3 from 19:25–21:10, featuring up to 20,000 fireworks launched along the Shinano River. The event site is about a 20-minute walk from JR Nagaoka Station. Meanwhile, Ibaraki Prefecture’s Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition will take place on the evening of October 5 from 18:30–20:30, also featuring approximately 20,000 fireworks set off near Ochanomizu Bridge by Sakura River, adding brilliance to Ibaraki’s night sky. Visitors can reach the site by a 30-minute walk from JR Tsuchiura Station or a 10-minute bus ride on a temporary shuttle from JR Tsuchiura Station. For more information on Japanese fireworks: hanabi.walkerplus.com.

 

 

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