The Sumida River Fireworks Festival, the most anticipated event of Tokyo's summer fireworks season

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, Zhang Yingying. Compiled and reported.

Every year in July marks the peak season for fireworks festivals in Japan. Wearing a yukata, fanning yourself with a small paper fan, and sipping on some beer—these are the most radiant images of summer scenery, creating beautiful memories for the season. The most important fireworks festival in Tokyo is the “Sumida River Fireworks Festival,”This year is the 37th edition, held on Saturday evening, July 26. The event will proceed as scheduled even if there is light rain, but will be postponed to Sunday, July 27, in case of bad weather.

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is considered a fireworks event in the Kanto region that carries on the Edo-period tradition, continuing the legacy of the “Ryogoku River Fireworks Festival” which began in 1733 (the 18th year of the Kyoho era) during the Edo period.The fireworks display area is divided into two sections: the first section is between Sakurabashi and Kaminaribashi bridges, and the second section is between Komagata Bridge and Umamachi Bridge. This year, the total number of fireworks launched from both sections is expected to reach 20,000.The second section is also the main launch site for rapid-fire large-scale fireworks. Although the fireworks start at 19:05 and end at 20:30, most people begin arriving in the afternoon to secure the best viewing spots and wait at the venue. If you plan to watch the fireworks live, it’s recommended to arrive early. Each year, over 900,000 spectators come to enjoy the show, not including those who watch from farther away. On the day of the event, the entire Asakusa area is packed with crowds, and the dazzling fireworks appear even more stunning and dreamlike against the backdrop of Tokyo Skytree.

There are many ways to enjoy the Sumida River Fireworks Festival. You can also take a sightseeing bus or a yakatabune (traditional Japanese houseboat) on the Sumida River. Many nearby hotels and high-end restaurants also take advantage of their prime locations to offer special viewing seats and fireworks dinner packages. The restaurants and observation decks at Tokyo Skytree offer especially unique vantage points to enjoy the fireworks from above, so it’s wise to book or reserve your spot early. Between 17:30 and 22:00 on the night of the event, Tokyo Skytree only allows 840 visitors into the observation deck. In addition to general spectators, this is also a prime time for photography enthusiasts to secure the best views.

On the same evening as the Sumida River Fireworks Festival, there is also the “Tachikawa Festival – National Azabu Memorial Park Fireworks Festival” held at the National Azabu Memorial Park, launching about 5,000 fireworks on a smaller scale, attracting around 300,000 spectators each year. In addition, the 48th Katsushika Summer Fireworks Festival, which kicks off earlier on July 22, also draws attention. The event is held at Katsushika Ward’s Shibamata Baseball Field, starting at 19:20 and lasting for one hour, with approximately 13,000 fireworks launched. The Meiji Shrine Grand Fireworks Festival, which begins on July 21 during the summer vacation season and features fireworks after each baseball game, launches around 300 fireworks per day depending on the game schedule. It’s a special summer event combining baseball and fireworks. On the days of the fireworks, besides the special seating areas within the baseball stadium, many people also gather around the field, creating a very lively atmosphere.

Another major event that rivals the July “Sumida River Fireworks Festival” is the August Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Festival. This year marks the 26th edition, starting at 18:50 on the evening of August 10. The main launch site is around the Harumi Pier in Tokyo Port, with the beautiful fireworks set against the backdrop of the Rainbow Bridge—one of the most beautiful nighttime fireworks scenes in the eyes of many. There are numerous summer fireworks events in Japan, and travelers visiting Japan during the summer vacation should consider setting aside a day to watch the fireworks and experience one of Japan’s popular summer traditions.　

 

 

Underage drinking is prohibited.