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Celebrate the summer with these
10 Amazing Fireworks Festivals in Japan
For some absolutely epic pyrotechnics, check out DiGJAPAN!'s list of 10 must-see fireworks festivals in Japan.
Considered one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan, the floating torii of Itsukushima Shrine off the coast of the island of Miyajima is also home to a brilliant aquatic firework display. The image of the torii silhouetted by fireworks is one that shouldn’t be missed.
Date: August 11, 2016
*Fireworks will take place in the event of rain. In the event of severe weather, the fireworks will take place on August 14, 2016.
Time: 7:40pm~8:40pm
Location: off-shore of Miyajima, near the torii
Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi-shi, Hiroshima-ken
Access: 10 min walk from Miyajima Pier
Website: http://www.miyajima.or.jp/english/event/event_hanabi.html
Here you can see fireworks designed by the professionals of the Japanese Fireworks Artist Association. Be prepared for a high-quality performance.
Date: July 31, 2016
Time: 7:10pm~9:00pm
Location: along the Yahagi River in Shirahama Park
Shirahama-cho, Toyota-shi, Aichi-ken
Access: 10 min walk from Toyotashi Station
Website (Japanese only): http://www.oidenmaturi.com/hanabi/
For some more fireworks in a super-Japanese setting, head to the Lake Kawaguchiko Fireworks Festival in Yamanashi Prefecture. Here you can watch fireworks burst above the silhouette of Mt. Fuji in time to music.
Date: August 5, 2016
Time: 7:30pm~9:00pm
Location: Oike Park and the Funatsu・Hirahama Parking Lot
Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi-ken
Access: 15 min walk from Kawaguchiko Station
Website: http://www.fujisan.ne.jp/event/info_e.php?if_id=677&ca_id=3
There is also a yosakoi dance festival (7:00pm~7:50pm) and a smaller fireworks display (8:00pm~8:20pm) on August 4, 2016.
It is said that the Sumida River Fireworks Festival is one of Tokyo's biggest and most popular summer events. A total of approximately 20,000 fireworks are launched between two areas along the Sumida River. It gets very crowded, so be sure to arrive early.
Date: July 30, 2016
Time: 7:05pm~8:30pm
Locations and nearest stations:
Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Area 1 is close to Oshiage Station
Area 2 is close to Ryogoku Station & Kuramae Station
Asakusa Station & Honjo-azumabashi Station are between areas 1 and 2
Website: http://sumidagawa-hanabi.com/index_eg.html
The program of the Hokkaido Makomanai Music Fireworks Festival combines over 20,000 fireworks with music, lighting designs, and pyrotechnics. This year, the amazing street dance performance group WRECKING CREW ORCHESTRA will be performing as the opening act.
Date: July 17, 2016
Rain date: July 18, 2016
Time: Stadium opens 4:00pm | Fireworks 8:00pm
Location: Makomanai Sekisui Heim Stadium
3-1 Makomanai Kouen, Minami-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido
Access: 30 min walk from Subway Makomanai Station
*There will be a shuttle bus between the station and the stadium on the day of the event (210 yen each way).
Website (Japanese only): http://www.makomanai-hanabi.com/
Approximately 10,000 fireworks are launched during the Hiroshima Port Dream Fireworks Festival. There is a wide variety included in this number. The combinations create colorful, intricate paintings in the sky.
Date: July 23, 2016
*Fireworks will take place in the event of rain. In the event of severe weather such as a typhoon, the fireworks will be canceled or rescheduled for August 27, 2016.
Time: 8:00pm~9:00pm
Location: Hiroshima Port 10,000 ton class berth
Minami-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima-ken
Access: 15 min walk from the Kaigan-dori stop of the Hiroshima Electric Railway
Website (Japanese only): http://www.minato-yumehanabi.com/1_gaiyou/index.html
During this massive event in Akita Prefecture, you can watch as expert pyrotechnicians from all over Japan bring their best creations in hopes of winning the Prime Minister's Prize as well as other awards. There is also a unique daytime fireworks display! If you’re looking for a break from run-of-the-mill fireworks shows, then this is the event for you.
Date: August 27, 2016
Times:
Daytime fireworks 5:30pm
Nighttime fireworks: 6:50pm
Location: alongside the Omono River, downstream from Omagari Hanabi Taikai Bridge
Omonogawa, Daisen-shi, Akita-ken
Access: 30 min walk from JR Omagari Station
Website (Japanese only): http://www.oomagari-hanabi.com/
There are fireworks held on both days of the Nagaoka festival. Of particular fame are the shosanshakudama fireworks. These massive shells measuring 90 cm (35 in.) in diameter are launched to an incredible height of 600 m (approx. 1,969 ft.)! As it bursts open in the sky, it reaches a diameter of 550 m (approx. 1,805 ft.). It is said that these fireworks are set off as a prayer for peace.
Dates: August 2 & 3, 2016
Time: 7:20pm~9:15pm
Location and nearest station: The fireworks take place on the banks of the Shinano River. The viewing place is about a 20 min walk from JR Nagaoka Station.
Shinanogawa, Nagaoka-shi, Niigata-ken
Website: http://nagaokamatsuri.com/
The Lake Suwako Fireworks Festival is one of the country’s leading fireworks displays in terms of scale. Every year around 40,000 fireworks color the night sky over Lake Suwako. One thing to watch for is the "Niagara," a 2km (1.2 mi) horizontal stretch of fireworks that "flows" down into the lake like a waterfall.
Date: August 15, 2016
*Fireworks will be held in the event of rain. The use of umbrellas is prohibited during the performance, so please bring a rain jacket with hood and other appropriate rain gear in case of inclement weather.
Time: 7:00pm~ (area opens at 2:00pm)
Location: in the vicinity of JR Kami-Suwa Station
Lake Suwako, Kamigawa, Suwa-shi, Nagano-ken
Access: approx. 8 min walk from JR Kami-Suwa Station
Website (Japanese only): http://www.suwako-hanabi.com/kojyou/
What makes these fireworks particularly unusual is that they take place in both the city of Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture and the city of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture. How’s that, you ask? These two cities are separated by the Kanmon Strait, the body of water which lends its name to this festival. Between these two cities, a total of approximately 15,000 fireworks are launched every year.
Date: August 13, 2016
*Fireworks will be held in the event of rain. In the event of severe weather, fireworks will be canceled.
Time: 7:50pm~8:40pm (viewing area opens at 7:40pm)
Viewing areas and nearest stations
Yamaguchi Prefecture
The Arukapoto area of Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, approx. 15 min walking distance from JR Shimonoseki Station
Fukuoka Prefecture
Beside JR Mojiko Station
Nishi-Kaigan, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka-ken
Website (Japanese only): http://hanabi.moji-retro.com/
Do you have a favorite fireworks festival in Japan? Let us know in the comments!
Note: all information included in this article is based on information accessed July 2016. Please be advised that schedule and program changes or cancellations may occur unexpectedly, particularly in the event of inclement weather.
Miyajima Water Fireworks Festival
Considered one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan, the floating torii of Itsukushima Shrine off the coast of the island of Miyajima is also home to a brilliant aquatic firework display. The image of the torii silhouetted by fireworks is one that shouldn’t be missed.
Information
Miyajima Water Fireworks Festival | 宮島水中花火大会Date: August 11, 2016
*Fireworks will take place in the event of rain. In the event of severe weather, the fireworks will take place on August 14, 2016.
Time: 7:40pm~8:40pm
Location: off-shore of Miyajima, near the torii
Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi-shi, Hiroshima-ken
Access: 10 min walk from Miyajima Pier
Website: http://www.miyajima.or.jp/english/event/event_hanabi.html
Toyota Oiden Matsuri Fireworks
Here you can see fireworks designed by the professionals of the Japanese Fireworks Artist Association. Be prepared for a high-quality performance.
Information
Toyota Oiden Matsuri Fireworks | 豊田おいでんまつり花火大会Date: July 31, 2016
Time: 7:10pm~9:00pm
Location: along the Yahagi River in Shirahama Park
Shirahama-cho, Toyota-shi, Aichi-ken
Access: 10 min walk from Toyotashi Station
Website (Japanese only): http://www.oidenmaturi.com/hanabi/
Lake Kawaguchiko Fireworks Festival
For some more fireworks in a super-Japanese setting, head to the Lake Kawaguchiko Fireworks Festival in Yamanashi Prefecture. Here you can watch fireworks burst above the silhouette of Mt. Fuji in time to music.
Information
Lake Kawaguchiko Fireworks Festival | 河口湖湖上祭Date: August 5, 2016
Time: 7:30pm~9:00pm
Location: Oike Park and the Funatsu・Hirahama Parking Lot
Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi-ken
Access: 15 min walk from Kawaguchiko Station
Website: http://www.fujisan.ne.jp/event/info_e.php?if_id=677&ca_id=3
There is also a yosakoi dance festival (7:00pm~7:50pm) and a smaller fireworks display (8:00pm~8:20pm) on August 4, 2016.
Sumida River Fireworks Festival
It is said that the Sumida River Fireworks Festival is one of Tokyo's biggest and most popular summer events. A total of approximately 20,000 fireworks are launched between two areas along the Sumida River. It gets very crowded, so be sure to arrive early.
Information
Sumida River Fireworks Festival | 隅田川花火大会Date: July 30, 2016
Time: 7:05pm~8:30pm
Locations and nearest stations:
Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Area 1 is close to Oshiage Station
Area 2 is close to Ryogoku Station & Kuramae Station
Asakusa Station & Honjo-azumabashi Station are between areas 1 and 2
Website: http://sumidagawa-hanabi.com/index_eg.html
Hokkaido Makomanai Music Fireworks Festival
The program of the Hokkaido Makomanai Music Fireworks Festival combines over 20,000 fireworks with music, lighting designs, and pyrotechnics. This year, the amazing street dance performance group WRECKING CREW ORCHESTRA will be performing as the opening act.
Information
Hokkaido Makomanai Music Fireworks Festival | 北海道真駒内花火大会Date: July 17, 2016
Rain date: July 18, 2016
Time: Stadium opens 4:00pm | Fireworks 8:00pm
Location: Makomanai Sekisui Heim Stadium
3-1 Makomanai Kouen, Minami-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido
Access: 30 min walk from Subway Makomanai Station
*There will be a shuttle bus between the station and the stadium on the day of the event (210 yen each way).
Website (Japanese only): http://www.makomanai-hanabi.com/
Hiroshima Port Dream Fireworks Festival
Approximately 10,000 fireworks are launched during the Hiroshima Port Dream Fireworks Festival. There is a wide variety included in this number. The combinations create colorful, intricate paintings in the sky.
Information
Hiroshima Port Dream Fireworks Festival | 広島みなと 夢 花火大会Date: July 23, 2016
*Fireworks will take place in the event of rain. In the event of severe weather such as a typhoon, the fireworks will be canceled or rescheduled for August 27, 2016.
Time: 8:00pm~9:00pm
Location: Hiroshima Port 10,000 ton class berth
Minami-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima-ken
Access: 15 min walk from the Kaigan-dori stop of the Hiroshima Electric Railway
Website (Japanese only): http://www.minato-yumehanabi.com/1_gaiyou/index.html
Omagari National Fireworks Competition
During this massive event in Akita Prefecture, you can watch as expert pyrotechnicians from all over Japan bring their best creations in hopes of winning the Prime Minister's Prize as well as other awards. There is also a unique daytime fireworks display! If you’re looking for a break from run-of-the-mill fireworks shows, then this is the event for you.
Information
Omagari National Fireworks Competition | 全国花火競技大会「大曲の花火」Date: August 27, 2016
Times:
Daytime fireworks 5:30pm
Nighttime fireworks: 6:50pm
Location: alongside the Omono River, downstream from Omagari Hanabi Taikai Bridge
Omonogawa, Daisen-shi, Akita-ken
Access: 30 min walk from JR Omagari Station
Website (Japanese only): http://www.oomagari-hanabi.com/
Nagaoka Festival Fireworks
There are fireworks held on both days of the Nagaoka festival. Of particular fame are the shosanshakudama fireworks. These massive shells measuring 90 cm (35 in.) in diameter are launched to an incredible height of 600 m (approx. 1,969 ft.)! As it bursts open in the sky, it reaches a diameter of 550 m (approx. 1,805 ft.). It is said that these fireworks are set off as a prayer for peace.
Information
Nagaoka Festival Fireworks | 長岡まつり花火大会Dates: August 2 & 3, 2016
Time: 7:20pm~9:15pm
Location and nearest station: The fireworks take place on the banks of the Shinano River. The viewing place is about a 20 min walk from JR Nagaoka Station.
Shinanogawa, Nagaoka-shi, Niigata-ken
Website: http://nagaokamatsuri.com/
Suwako Fireworks Festival
The Lake Suwako Fireworks Festival is one of the country’s leading fireworks displays in terms of scale. Every year around 40,000 fireworks color the night sky over Lake Suwako. One thing to watch for is the "Niagara," a 2km (1.2 mi) horizontal stretch of fireworks that "flows" down into the lake like a waterfall.
Information
Lake Suwako Fireworks Festival | 諏訪湖祭湖上花火大会Date: August 15, 2016
*Fireworks will be held in the event of rain. The use of umbrellas is prohibited during the performance, so please bring a rain jacket with hood and other appropriate rain gear in case of inclement weather.
Time: 7:00pm~ (area opens at 2:00pm)
Location: in the vicinity of JR Kami-Suwa Station
Lake Suwako, Kamigawa, Suwa-shi, Nagano-ken
Access: approx. 8 min walk from JR Kami-Suwa Station
Website (Japanese only): http://www.suwako-hanabi.com/kojyou/
The Kanmon Strait Fireworks Festival
What makes these fireworks particularly unusual is that they take place in both the city of Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture and the city of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture. How’s that, you ask? These two cities are separated by the Kanmon Strait, the body of water which lends its name to this festival. Between these two cities, a total of approximately 15,000 fireworks are launched every year.
Information
The Kanmon Strait Fireworks Festival | 関門海峡花火大会Date: August 13, 2016
*Fireworks will be held in the event of rain. In the event of severe weather, fireworks will be canceled.
Time: 7:50pm~8:40pm (viewing area opens at 7:40pm)
Viewing areas and nearest stations
Yamaguchi Prefecture
The Arukapoto area of Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, approx. 15 min walking distance from JR Shimonoseki Station
Fukuoka Prefecture
Beside JR Mojiko Station
Nishi-Kaigan, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka-ken
Website (Japanese only): http://hanabi.moji-retro.com/
Do you have a favorite fireworks festival in Japan? Let us know in the comments!
Note: all information included in this article is based on information accessed July 2016. Please be advised that schedule and program changes or cancellations may occur unexpectedly, particularly in the event of inclement weather.
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THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM 07 14,2016 Author：Rachael Ragalye
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