Looking for something new to do over the weekend or perhaps some insider spots to impress your date? Check out Tokyo’s fireworks festivals (hanabi taikai) this summer when they go into full display. Because there’s nothing like escaping the 40°C heat and 100% humidity by gazing into the night sky filled with color.
Here’s your complete guide to the biggest and most magical fireworks festivals happening all over Tokyo this summer. We’ve gone ahead and included some tips on what to bring and when to go to beat the crowds to make your trip even more worthwhile.
Previously known as the “Ryogoku River Opening,” the Sumida River Fireworks Festival has been around since 1978. The origins of fireworks in Japan can be traced all the way back to 1732 during the Edo period when a great famine took the lives of many. To pray for safe passage for the souls of those who died and for the accompanying plague to cease, the 8th shogun Yoshimune held a Water God Festival. Restaurants surrounding the Ryogoku Bridge were allowed to set off fireworks.
To date, Sumida River still hosts one of the biggest fireworks festivals in Tokyo, drawing around 950,000 viewers to enjoy nearly 20,000 fireworks. With that in mind, it’s best to arrive early as people start saving spots by the riverside by noon. Due to the congestion, the show has been split between two launch sites so viewers can watch the show from multiple points along the river.
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Location: Along the Sumida River, near Asakusa & Tokyo Skytree
Fireworks: 20,000
Official site: https://sumidagawa-hanabi.com/
For those looking for a more toned-down fireworks festival, head on over to Katsushika, which offers a more nostalgic and intimate atmosphere. Take a stroll down retro Shibamata’s stores, before taking a spot in the field for the fireworks display.
If you prefer to take your time and not rush early to the venue, Katsushika offers reserved seats for a fee, starting from ¥5,000/head. The seats are vinyl-sheeted square seats on the slope of the bank (image below).
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Location: Shibamata Baseball Field, Katsushika Ward
Fireworks: 15,000
Official site: city.katsushika.lg.jp
What’s more special than a fireworks festival? How about one commemorating a city’s 50th anniversary? Expect an extra special synchronized fireworks display this year along the Edo River in Edogawa. According to the ward’s website, it will also attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the “tallest mountain-shaped firework display” through its famous Mt. Fuji firework.
Date: Friday, August 2, 2025
Location: Along the Edo River, Edogawa Ward
Fireworks: 14,000
Official site: https://www.city.edogawa.tokyo.jp/hanabi/
This fireworks festival is not only flashy and exhilarating, it’s also very accessible since it’s located within the JR Yamanote loop. You can opt for paid reserved seating at the Meiji Jingu Stadium (the actual launch site of the display) or Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium. Ticket prices start from ¥7,000. Of course, you can still enjoy the fireworks within a one-kilometer radius of the launch site. The festival this year is said to include live performances from popular artists, giving you a concert vibe with fireworks.
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Location: Meiji Jingu Gaien (inside Yamanote Line), central Tokyo
Fireworks: 10,000
Official site: https://www.jinguhanabi.com/
Expect around 90,000 people at this fireworks festival known for its “Starmine” rapid-fire sequences thus creating a dramatic and immersive spectacle. Since the fireworks launch site is over an athletic field, you get a thunderous and up-close experience.
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Location: Fujimori Park Athletic Field, Hachioji
Fireworks: ~4,000
Official site: https://hanabi.walkerplus.com/detail/ar0313e00929/
In order to make any hanabi taikai truly unforgettable, one must be properly prepared. Things could quickly go sour if you add together huge crowds, intense heat, 100% humidity, and hours of waiting. Here’s a practical checklist to keep you cool and comfortable for the show:
✅ Picnic mat (レジャーシート)
✅ Small cushion or foldable chair
✅ Portable fan (handheld or USB-rechargeable)
✅ Light jacket or shawl for the breeze
✅ Something heavy to weigh down your mat (water bottle, bag, etc.)
✅ Bento or finger foods (from home or konbini)
✅ Reusable water bottle or tea
✅ Cooler bag or ice packs (optional for fresh items)
✅ Wet wipes and tissues for clean-up
✅ Small trash bag (ゴミ袋)
✅ Yukata or jinbei (if you’re dressing up!)
✅ Comfortable sandals (geta, zōri, or sneakers)
✅ Bug spray (虫よけスプレー)
✅ Sunscreen (if going early)
✅ Small towel or handkerchief
✅ Power bank or portable charger
✅ Camera or smartphone tripod
✅ Printed map or screenshot of venue layout
✅ Suica/Pasmo & small change (in case stalls don’t take credit card or big bills)
Here are a few smart and time-tested tips to maximize your fireworks festival experience.
Now for those who aren’t very techy with the phones but still want to get Instagram-worthy shots, here are a couple of tricks when setting up your camera. Use night mode (pro mode if available) or long exposure and include foreground elements like the skyline for a more dynamic effect. Set the ISO to 100-200 to reduce noise. Use shutter speed of 2-4 seconds. Don’t forget to tap the screen and lock the focus on a bright area in the sky and make sure that the flash is off! You can also try burst mode or recording in slow-mo mode since fireworks are fast.
Vibes: Low-key, calm, local vibes. Perfect for families who want to avoid huge crowds.
Date: Monday, August 11, 2025
Location: Sunamachi Riverside Park, Koto Ward
Fireworks: ~4,000 fireworks launched from a barge on the river
Official site: https://koto-hanabi.com/
Vibes: Lush riverside park at the bottom of mountains, relaxing, with food stalls and seating
Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025
Location: TCN Sports Park Nagayama (Nagayama Park Ground), Ōme City
Fireworks: ~4,000 fireworks, sometimes with music accompaniment
Official site: https://www.omekanko.gr.jp/feature/hanabi/
Vibes: Small-scale, with a couple thousand shells. Rustic setting with riverside or bridge views. This year also celebrates the town’s 70th year.
Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025
Location: Okutama, by the Tama River
Fireworks: from a couple hundred to a thousand
Official site: https://www.ohtama.or.jp/seasonal/1595.html
With all of the above information tucked into your arsenal, you’re now ready to dive into the energy and nostalgia of a fireworks festival this summer with friends and loved ones.
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