Twenty thousand fireworks illuminate the Tokyo Skytree, creating the best viewing spot

By MOOK Scenic Spots Home Travel Life Network Editorial Department
 

Every July is the season when Japan’s fireworks festivals frequently light up the night sky. Among the many beautiful displays, Tokyo’s “Sumida River Fireworks Festival” is the most popular. This year marks its 38th edition, held on the evening of July 25. In case of bad weather, it will be postponed to July 26. Additionally, before 10:00 AM on July 25, an announcement will be made on whether the event will proceed as scheduled due to rain.

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is arguably the largest and most famous fireworks display in the Kanto region, continuing the tradition of the Edo-period “Ryogoku River Fireworks Festival” dating back to 1733 (the 18th year of the Hōei era). The fireworks display is divided into two venues: the first venue is between Sakura Bridge and Kaminaribashi, and the second venue is between Komagata Bridge and Umibashi. This year, the total number of fireworks launched from both venues is expected to reach 20,000, with the second venue being the main site for consecutive large-scale fireworks. The 20,000 brilliant fireworks color the Tokyo night sky, and every year new and creative fireworks designs are introduced, making the 1-hour-and-20-minute display exceptionally lively.

Although the fireworks start at 19:05 and end at 20:30, most people begin securing the best viewing spots in the afternoon and wait at the site early. If you want to watch the show in person, it’s recommended to arrive early. To experience this summer fireworks spectacle, besides taking a sightseeing bus or yakatabune (traditional Japanese boat) on the Sumida River, the Tokyo Skytree has also set up a special fireworks viewing area, creating the best spot to enjoy the show. Early booking and securing a spot are essential—between 17:30 and 20:30 that evening, the Tokyo Skytree observation deck will only admit 945 visitors to admire the beautiful fireworks blooming in the sky above.