10 Recommended Fireworks Festivals in Tokyo to Enjoy Thrilling and Impressive Fireworks
Fireworks festivals are one of the biggest features of summer in Japan. The fireworks that paint the skies of the short summers in vivid colors pack a different punch every year. There are so many fireworks festivals in Tokyo that it can be difficult to choose which one to see. With that, here is a list of 10 of the most popular fireworks festivals in Tokyo, as well as details on the features of each one!
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10 Popular Fireworks Festivals in Tokyo
1. Adachi Fireworks Festival
Adachi Fireworks Festival is the first fireworks festival held in Tokyo each year. Known for being an action-packed event, the fireworks festival in Adachi will let you marvel at 13,000 fireworks launched into the air for about an hour! Massive amounts of fireworks are continuously launched in succession, so you will surely be impressed. About 700,000 spectators await this major fireworks festival, which is held on the banks of Arakawa River in Adachi each year, so that they can catch a glimpse of the gorgeous fusion of the night sky lit up in fireworks and the flowing water of the river.
The highlight of the Adachi Fireworks are the "W Niagara", "Starmine" and "Climax" fireworks. Don’t blink if you don’t want to miss something! The W Niagara really looks like a spray of water in Niagara, while the powerful Starmine always leaves spectators in awe. As for the Climax, the fireworks are rhythmically launched into the sky to loud music. The finale is an exciting part of the program that will give you goosebumps, so it's a great place to go for a thrilling outing!
2. Katsushika Noryo Fireworks Festival
The most beautiful point of the fireworks at Katsushika is a program called “Mt. Fuji Niagara," in which the skies of Tokyo are lit up in beautiful colors of gigantic white, red, and blue fireworks. It is only at this festival that you will get to see 13,000 fireworks shot into the air up close in a span of one hour. So, why not go enjoy Katsushika’s townscape during the day and wrap up with fireworks in the evening?
3. Tokyo Fireworks Festival EDOMODE
The festival isn't all about just the master pyrotechnicians, though. There is actually another highlight at the event, and that is the “Children’s Fireworks” program in which drawings programmed by children will be launched into the air. Ten works created by children who join the “Pro Star Kids” programming class sponsored by MrFusion will be chosen and executed with fireworks in front of the throngs of spectators. This is the first time in the world that pyrotechnicians will attempt to launch fireworks depicting drawings and pictures programmed by children. Don’t you think it would be a lot of fun for spectators to witness children being taught state-of-the-art technology and having their drawings manifest in the sky using fireworks?
4. Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival
There are many stalls and booths at the Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival. It's recommended that you head over to Meiji Park, where there are plenty of food stalls, to buy everything you need before the fireworks start. There are stands along the walkway from Gaienmae Station to Jingu Stadium, too, and you can enjoy them on your way to the venue. If you are going to this fireworks festival, you should also definitely try Jingu Stadium’s specialty Pine Ice (pineapple-flavored shaved ice). Be sure to try this shaved ice delight as it will help cool you down while sitting or standing in the hot and humid heat within the stadium.
5. Ichikawa Shimin Noryo Fireworks Festival
The highlight of the Ichikawa Shimin Noryo Fireworks Festival is the fireworks in the opening program. Starmines launched for 5 seconds from 10 spots using 1,000 fireworks create a truly gorgeous masterpiece that you can enjoy! The fireworks will be launched one after another without any pauses,, so try not to blink or you might miss it! This festival consists of eight themes, including the opening program; the scheduled 45-minute event will be over before you know it! In the finale, the sky will be painted in colorful fireworks that look like a shower of lights. Enjoy Ichikawa’s unique fireworks, but make sure to keep watching until the very end!
6. Sumida River Fireworks Festival
The sight of the fireworks reflecting on the surface of the river will also take your breath away. There is no doubt that it will be something to remember if you end July by marveling at this spectacular spot. Another thing that you should try are the food offerings of the stalls at this festival. It is a major fireworks festival, so it probably need not be said that there are countless stalls and booths, too. One of the most recommended items is the “Ramen Burger”, a burger in which the ramen ingredients and toppings are sandwiched in between hard pan-fried noodle “buns”! If you happen to see it, make sure to try it.
7. Hachijojima Noryo Fireworks Festival
On the eve of the festival, there are various programs in store for visitors, as well as a long list of stalls and booths to enjoy. While this festival is relatively small in scale with only 811 fireworks, the fireworks are actually launched from the embankment, so you can get to appreciate them from up close. The thrill that you get is virtually incomparable to those you get from other fireworks festivals! The reflection of the fireworks on the surface of the sea is also like a work of art. The finale features a massive flower display that will almost cover the entire Hachijojima sky. So, how about watching some beautiful fireworks while basking in the nature of Hachijojima?
8. Koto Fireworks Festival
There are stalls and booths around Minami-Sunamachi Station, so you should buy whatever you need before the program starts. You will find rows of booths offering staple festival food items, such as cotton candy, yakisoba (fried noodles), and shaved ice. The spot that is most recommended for watching the fireworks display is the little-known “yataibune” (similar to a party boat). If you get on this boat, you will see fireworks reflected on the surface of the water, and it is truly beautiful. The view from a distance that is nearer than when you are in the actual venue is too beautiful for words!
9. Itabashi Fireworks Festival
10. Okutama Noryo Fireworks Festival
Aside from the fireworks, there is also a summer festival that is held featuring stalls, shrines, and other attractions. You are guaranteed an evening filled with delights as you watch the fireworks in the sky while eating delicious food stall treats and cold beer. The Earth Garden is a secret spot that you absolutely have to check out when you go to the Okutama Noryo Fireworks Festival. Here, you can marvel at the fireworks while enveloped in nature and indulge in pizza, hamburger, and other dishes. And if you come on a clear day, then you should get a seat on the terrace and savor an elegant ambience while admiring the fireworks.
This Year’s Fireworks Festivals Will Be Packed With Thrills!
This article showcased 10 fireworks festivals in Tokyo to look forward to during the summer season. All of them are filled with great appeal points that are definitely worth checking out. It is no wonder that people from all over Japan flock to Tokyo to watch its fireworks festivals that get better and bigger each year. Head to one of the fireworks festivals in Tokyo to create a summer memory that will remain with you forever!
Translated and republished with permission from:Relux Magazine
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The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.