As summer sweeps across Japan, the night skies come alive with dazzling displays of color and sound during the country’s beloved fireworks festivals, known as hanabi taikai. From riverside shows in Tokyo to elaborate festivities in Tohoku, these events draw millions of spectators each year, offering an evening full of tradition, community spirit and breathtaking pyrotechnics. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned festival-goer, experiencing a hanabi festival is a must for anyone looking to soak in the magic of summer in Japan. Here are some of the most popular events happening this summer.
Fireworks Festivals Happening This Summer
Adachi Fireworks Festival 2025
Unlike previous years, the famous Adachi Fireworks Festival will be held in May this year for a more comfortable climate for spectators. Fourteen thousand powerful fireworks are condensed into a one-hour display, and guests can enjoy a dynamic night sky lit up by the collaboration of fireworks and lasers. The closest fireworks display is on the Senju side, but it is highly recommended to watch from the Nishiarai side, where there is a wider riverbed.
| Date & Time | May 31, 2025・19:20-20:20 |
| Price | Free |
| Location | Arakawa Nishiarai Bridge Green Space |
The 44th Yokohama Open Port Festival
This year marks the 44th Yokohama Port Opening Festival, a popular event for Yokohamaites to celebrate the opening of the port of Yokohama in 1859 and honor the history of their hometown. Approximately 2,500 fireworks will be shot off at Rinko Park in the grand finale of the three-day festival. The fireworks and drone shows will illuminate the night sky of the Minato Mirai area.
| Date & Time | May 31-Jun 02・19:20~ |
| Price | Free |
| Location | Rinko Park |
Tokyo Racecourse Fireworks 2025
The theme for 2025 is “J-Pop Best,” and the fireworks will be set off to famous songs in keeping with the 100th anniversary of the Showa era. The fireworks will be synchronized with music on the vast horse racing track, which is approximately 2 kilometers long. All seats are reserved, so you can enjoy the fireworks in comfort without worrying about crowds, and facilities such as restrooms and food booths are available for people of all ages to enjoy the fireworks in comfort. The venue is only a short walk from the nearest station, making it easy to visit from within Tokyo. In order to bring out the world view of the music to the fullest, the fireworks display is carefully calculated in terms of color, shape, height, and even the afterglow when the fireworks fade away. The most notable feature is the dynamic fireworks display, which is shot off at a distance of only 100 meters from the bleachers.
| Date & Time | Jul 2, 2025・19:30-20:40 |
| Price | ¥5,000 and up |
| Location | JRA Tokyo Racecourse |
Tenjin Festival 2025
With over 1,000 years of history, the Tenjin Festival at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine in Osaka is one of the three major festivals in Japan. On the first day of the event, there are prayers for safety and prosperity at the shrine, and on the second day, the festivities really kick off with parades and fireworks. With a river procession of 100 boats and a fireworks display, the Tenjin Festival is a celebratory extravaganza. Every year, the festival's original kobai (red-blossomed Japanese plum) firework, which opens in the shape of the ume-bachi family crest, is launched in honor of Tenjin-sama, the patron deity of scholarship and learning. There are also many other unique fireworks to be enjoyed throughout the fireworks spectacle.
| Date & Time | Jul 24-25・15:00~ |
| Price | Free |
| Location | Kema Sakuranomiya Park |
Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival 2025
The Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival, which clocks in at 90 minutes in length, is one of the largest fireworks festivals in Tokyo. The origin of this festival is the Ryogoku no Kawabiraki Hanabi, which started in 1733 as a memorial event for those who perished during a famine and disease outbreak the year before. The festival, which combines the sophisticated skills of pyrotechnicians with the emotional landscape of old Tokyo, features dynamic performances by fireworks artisans. Fireworks are launched from two different sites along the Sumida River (first site: between Sakurabashi Bridge and Kototoi Bridge; second site: between Komagata Bridge and Umaya Bridge). Though both sites boast an incredible array of fireworks, the fireworks competition at the first site is not to be missed.
| Date & Time | Jul 26, 2025・19:00-20:30 |
| Price | Free |
| Location | Taito Riverside Sports Center |
Nagaoka Fireworks Festival 2025
Held on August 2 and 3, the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is a memorial service for those who died in the Nagaoka air raids of 1945, a display of gratitude to those who worked so hard for reconstruction and a wish for lasting peace. Bleacher seats are set up on both banks of the Shinano River so that the fireworks can be viewed from both directions. The width of the river and its banks allows the festival to use a large number of impressive shaku-dama — large-shell fireworks — for the display. The sho-sanshaku-dama fireworks, boasting a burst diameter of 650 meters, and the Reconstruction Phoenix Fireworks — a five-minute display stretching approximately 2 kilometers in length — are highlights of the spectacle.
| Date & Time | Aug 02-03・19:20-21:10 |
| Price | Free |
| Location | Shinanogawa Kasen Park |
Omagari Fireworks Festival 2025
Held in Daisen City, Akita Prefecture, the Omagari Fireworks Festival has been held since 1910, and runs as a competition of pyrotechnicians from all over Japan. The fireworks craftsmen are required to make their own fireworks and bring them to the competition, where judging will focus on design, color and creativity. The Prime Minister's Prize is also awarded in this prestigious competition. Spectators can enjoy completely different fireworks displays in the daytime and at night. Daytime fireworks in particular are rare in Japan, making this a fascinating competition in which beauty is decided not by light but by smoke.
| Date & Time | Aug 30, 2025・17:10-21:30 |
| Price | Free |
| Location | Omono Riverside Ryokuchi Athletic Park |
Tokyo Summer Fireworks Cruise: Private Boat Tours
Experience one of Japan’s mesmerizing fireworks festivals from a truly exclusive vantage point: aboard a luxury cruiser. Set sail at sunset, enjoy a gourmet meal and marvel at the dazzling displays lighting up the night sky over Tokyo or Yokohama.
Fireworks cruises are perfect for celebrating special occasions with family and friends; they’re also ideal for photography enthusiasts. Onboard catering is available as an add-on, allowing guests to combine fine dining and drinks with an unforgettable spectacle.
Tips for the Best Fireworks-Viewing Experience
-
Arrive early: Popular spots fill up quickly and come with large crowds — bring a picnic blanket and stake out a good viewing location well before sunset.
-
Wear a yukata: Embrace the festive spirit by wearing a traditional summer kimono, often sold or offered for rent near event areas.
-
Bring snacks and drinks: Festival food is everywhere, but lines can be long. Bringing your own refreshments saves time and money, and keeps you hydrated in the summer heat.
-
Check transportation routes: Trains and buses can be packed after the event, so know your route home and consider walking part of the way.
-
Respect the space: Clean up after yourself and follow local etiquette. Many events provide trash bags or designated bins.
