5For those of you who love watching anime or Japanese dramas, you probably know that Japan holds fireworks festivals every year. These festivals are truly special not only for international tourists but also for the Japanese people themselves. The vibrant and romantic atmosphere, along with the stunning fireworks, makes the festivals a highly anticipated event each year.
Are you tempted to experience it when you travel to Japan? Here are 10 recommendations for you!
This festival takes place at the Arakawa Riverbed, with a total of 14,010 fireworks to be launched. It will be held on May 31, 2025, with no entrance fee. So, feel free to come, bring your picnic gear and choose any available spot to enjoy the fireworks.
However, if you prefer to avoid the hassle of securing a spot, you can also make a reservation for ¥5,000 per seat or ¥20,000 for a table with four seats. Reservation tickets will be on sale starting from April 26, 2025.
Enshu Hamakita Flying Dragon Festival is a festival held by the Tenryu River, specifically at the Tenryugawa Sports Park in Hamamatsu City. As the name suggests, this festival features a 60-meter-long dragon launching spectacular fireworks.
It will be held on May 31, 2025. The festival offers various activities, including kite flying, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Meanwhile, the fireworks festival itself will run from 6:30 PM to 9 PM. The ticket price to attend this festival is ¥500.
Bentenjima is a large island in Lake Hamana and regularly hosts a grand fireworks festival every year. The festival is usually held on the first Saturday of July each year. However, for the exact date, you can check the Instagram account @visit_hamamatsu, where complete information about the festival will be shared.
The festival is free of charge, so you can just come and enjoy the show. Since there's no entrance fee, it's best to come early and grab the best spot to enjoy the show.
Kamakura Fireworks may not be a large-scale festival, but it has its own unique charm compared to other fireworks festivals. What makes it unique is that the fireworks are launched from underwater rather than in the sky. The underwater fireworks create a stunning display that lights up the sea.
This festival take place in Yuigahama Beach on July 18, 2025, from 7:20 PM until 8:10 PM. There’s no entrance fee to enjoy this festival. The fireworks show lasts for only about 50 minutes. So, if you’re planning to enjoy this unique festival, make sure to arrive on time!
This festival takes place in Belluna Dome in Saitama Prefecture. The Belluna Dome is a baseball stadium that also serves as the home of Japan's professional baseball team, the Seibu Lions. That's why this festival is called Lions Summer Festival.
This festival will be held on July 26-27, 2025, with no ticket fee required to enter the stadium. However, if you'd like to watch the fireworks while sitting in the stands, you'll need to purchase a ticket for ¥800.
This festival is held annually at the Sumidagawa River on the last Saturday of July. This festival holds the record as the oldest fireworks festival in Japan and the largest fireworks festival in Tokyo.
You can actually enjoy the stunning fireworks from various locations, as the bursts in the sky during this festival are impressively high and grand. However, the Japanese usually enjoy the show by the riverside, so if you plan to do the same, make sure to come early to get the best spot for viewing the fireworks.
Nagaoka Firework Festival is held on August 1-13 each year in Shinano. The opening ceremony is held on the first day and the fireworks festival takes place on the second and third days. To enjoy the fireworks up close, you'll need to purchase a ticket for ¥2,000. In addition to the fireworks show, you can also enjoy a portable shrine parade and the Tōrō Nagashi ceremony—both highlights of the festival.
This festival is held at Shimazaki Park and Miyazu Bay in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture. This festival is not just an ordinary fireworks event—it's a tradition that dates back over 400 years, although fireworks were only introduced in 1924. This festival takes place on August 16 each year and begins with Tōrō Nagashi, a ceremony where paper lanterns are floated down the river or into the sea.
The ceremony reflects the Buddhist belief in Japan that during the Obon period, which falls between July and August, the spirits of deceased ancestors return to the world of the living. Many activities during the festival are considered ceremonies to welcome the spirits of the ancestors. After the ceremony, the fireworks display begins.
This fireworks festival is held at Omono Riverside Ryokuchi Athletic Park, Akita Prefecture, on the last Saturday of August every year. Unlike other fireworks festivals, this one features fireworks lit by selected pyrotechnic experts who compete to showcase their best fireworks.
The winner of this competition will receive the prestigious Prime Minister's Award. You’ll need to purchase a ticket to enjoy this festival, with prices varying depending on the facilities provided. The price range is ¥7,000 – ¥330,000.
The Tsuchiura Firework Festival is also a fireworks competition where fireworks experts showcase their skills in creating their best fireworks. This festival takes place in Ariakechō Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki Prefecture.
It is regularly held on the fourth Saturday of October each year. With its competition format, you'll have the chance to witness a variety of unique fireworks prepared by the contestants.
Now that you know the list, you can add these festivals to your itinerary when you visit Japan next! Don’t forget, before you head to Japan, it’s a good idea to purchase International Travel Insurance first. So, that you can travel with more peace of mind during your trip to Japan.
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