Whether a professional extravaganza at a festival or an intimate gathering at the beach, fireworks (hanabi) play a large part in summer celebrations. First introduced to Japan by the Portuguese at the end of the 16th century and the first display held by shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1613, the popularity of pyrotechnics quickly spread. Today, throughout the months of July and August visitors can attend displays or even purchase small toy fireworks including bottle rockets and sparklers at local variety stores.
The most spectacular displays take place along the banks of the Sumida River in Tokyo and in Tondabayashi near Osaka. To fully enjoy the event, people take a picnic to spread out along the river and share with friends and family while enjoying the evening's colorful entertainment in the night sky.
Firework Displays in Tokyo and Kanto Areas
July 7
Bentenjima Onsen, Hamana-gun, Shizuoka Pref., from 7:40 pm to 9 pm. Access: JR Tokaido Line to Bentenjima Sta.
July 20
Yamashita Park, Yokohama, a 30-min. train ride from Tokyo, from 7:15 pm to 8:30 pm (about 8,000 fireworks).
Access:(1)JR Negishi Line from Yokohama or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line from Tokyo to Sakuragicho Sta., then walk 20 min. (2) JR Negishi Line (or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line) to Kannai Sta., then walk 15 min.
July 23, 25, 28 Aug. 4 & 5
Atami Beach, Atami, Shizuoka Pref., from 8:10 pm to 9 pm.
Access: JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line or JR Tokaido Line to Atami Sta.
July 25
On the Edo River near the area called Shibamata Yakyu-jo Baseball Ground, from 7:15 pm to 8:20 pm. Japanese drum beating is also performed from 6:15 pm to 7 pm. Should it rain, it will be postponed until the next day. Access: Keisei Kanamachi Line to Shibamata Sta., then walk 10 min.
July 27
Above the riverbed of Arakawa River Lying between Senju Shinbashi Bridge and Nishi-Araibashi Bridge is held from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm (8,000 fireworks). Access: (1 ) Subway Chiyoda, Hibiya or JR Joban Line to Kita-Senju Sta., then walk 15 min. (2) Tobu Isezaki Line to Kosuge Sta., then walk 15 min.
July 29
Sumida River, centering on Sakurabashi and Kototoibashi Bridges and on Komagatabashi and Umayabashi Bridges, from 7:10 pm to 8:30 pm (20,000 fireworks). Should it rain, it will be postponed until the next day. Access: Subway Ginza or Toei Asakusa Line to Asakusa Sta.
Aug. 1 & 2
Yugawara Beach, from 8 pm to 8:40 pm-on the 1st (3,000 fireworks); Yassa-odori folk dance is presented by 2,000 townspeople from around 6 pm to 10 pm on the 2nd. Access: JR Tokaido Line to Yugawara Sta.
Aug. 1-5
Summer Festival of the Fuji Five Lakes features a display of fireworks scheduled as follows: Lake Yamanaka from 7:30 pm on the 1st (about 5,000 fireworks), Lake Sai from 7:30 pm on the 2nd (about 200 fireworks), Lake Motosu from 6 pm on the 3rd (800 fireworks), Lake Shoji from 7 pm on the 4th (500 fireworks), and Lake Kawaguchi from 7 pm on the 5th (about 5,000 fireworks).
Aug. 3
Jingu Kyujo Baseball Stadium in Jingu Gaien (Meiji Shrine Outer Garden) from 7 pm. An admission ticket for Nanshiki Kyujo (Ball Park) in front of Kaigakan (Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery), which is located near Jingu Kyujo, is available for ┤1,000. (Admission tickets for Jingu Kyujo Baseball Stadium are already sold out.) Should it rain, it will be postponed until the next day. Access: JR Sobu Line to Shinanomachi Sta. or Subway Ginza Line to Gaien-mae Sta.
Aug. 5
Nagara River, Gifu, Gifu Pref., from 7:30 pm to 9 pm (30,000 fireworks). The same event is scheduled for August. Access: JR Tokaido Line to Gifu Sta. and 20 min. by bus to Nagara-bashi Bus Stop or Gifu Koen Bus Stop, then walk 5 min.
Aug.5
Edogawa River, from 7:15 pm to 8:30 pm (14,000 fireworks). Should it rain, it will be postponed until Aug. 7. Access:(1) Subway Toei Shinjuku Line to Shinozaki Sta. and 15 min. on foot. (2) JR Sobu Line to Koiwa Sta. and 25 min. on foot.
Aug. 10
Yuigahama Beach, Kamakura, Kanagawa Pref., from 7:30 pm to 8:45 pm (2,400 fireworks). Access: JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura Sta., then walk 15 min.
Aug. 12
Harumi Pier, from 7 pm to 8:20 pm. Access: Subway Yurakucho Line to Toyosu Sta. or Tsukishima Sta., then walk 20 min.
Firework Displays in Western Japan
July 24, & 25
Tenjin Matsuri (festival) of Tenmangu Shrine, Osaka. The festival is one of the largest of Japan's summer festivals and features both land and sea processions. On the 25th, a fleet of sacred boats carrying a portable shrine proceeds upstream on Okawa River (Yodo River), escorted by many other boats decorated with various historical figures, from 6 pm to 9 pm. A fireworks display is scheduled for the 25th, from around 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm (1,000 fireworks) . Access: Subway Tanimachi Line to Minami-Morimachi Sta.
Aug. 1
Yakyu Renshu-jo (Batting Center), in Tondabayashi, Osaka Pref., from 7:40 pm to 9 pm (about 100,000 fireworks). Admission ticket is ┤3,000. Access: Kintetsu Minami Osaka Line to Tondabayashi Sta., then walk 20 min.
Aug. 8
Lake Biwa, Shiga Pref., from 7:30 pm to 9 pm. Access: JR Tokaido Line to Otsu Sta. or Zeze Sta.
Aug. 10
Ota River in Hiroshima from 8 pm to 9 pm. Access:(1)JR Kabe Line to Mitaki Sta., then walk 5 min. (2) JR Sanyo une to Yokogawa Sta., then walk 10 min.
Fireworks in Northern Japan
Aug. 26
Omono River, Omagari, Akita Pref., from 5 pm to 5:40 pm and from 6:50 pm to 9:30 pm. Should it rain heavily, it will be held over to the next day. Access: JR Tazawako Line originating at Morioka Sta. or JR Ou Line to Omagari Sta., then walk 20-30 min.
