Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department, compiled and reported
 

Fireworks are one of Japan’s most important summer festival events, and the famous Miyajima Water Fireworks Festival—one of Japan’s Top 100 Fireworks Displays—is the highlight of Hiroshima’s summer. For the people of Hiroshima, only by witnessing this water-born spectacle can they feel that they’ve truly experienced summer. Since the fireworks are launched from the sea, although they can also be seen from Hiroshima Port, most people choose to cross over to Miyajima in order to witness the breathtaking sight of the vermilion torii gate of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Itsukushima Shrine alongside the beautiful fireworks.

Hotels and shops on Miyajima begin preparations for this lively festival days in advance, and some even hold lottery draws half a year ahead to decide which guests can stay on the day of the event. Though the fireworks start at 8 PM, from early morning, every ferry or high-speed boat heading to Miyajima carries significantly more passengers than usual. Once ashore, Miyajima—normally serene and dignified like a graceful mature woman with its tranquil shrine atmosphere—suddenly transforms into an exuberant 18-year-old girl. Along the path from the pier to Itsukushima Shrine, various summer festival stalls—yatai—spring up, offering everything from takoyaki and cotton candy to goldfish scooping, turning the area into a giant midsummer market. Girls don colorful summer yukata and joyfully stroll between the stalls or play in the cool streams, while the deer that usually roam near the shrine, seemingly infected by the festive mood, happily frolic with the girls.

The best viewing spot for the fireworks is right in front of the torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine—you’ll need to arrive six hours early to secure a spot. Miyajima’s fireworks are called the “Water Fireworks Festival” because they are launched from boats out at sea. To get the best angle, it’s essential to find out where the fireworks boats will anchor—just look for the spots with the most tripods. Paid reserved seating, while closer, may not offer the most ideal views due to its angle relative to the torii gate. If your budget allows, you can also choose to watch the spectacular show from a boat on the water. Additionally, since tides vary unpredictably, if you’re lucky and the fireworks coincide with low tide, you might even be able to walk into the shallows for an even closer view—even without securing a prime spot in advance.