Fireworks (Hanabi “花火”) are regarded as a summer tradition in Japan, as the history of Japanese fireworks dates back in 1733. Fireworks are a very special thing and one of the the most exciting events of the year for Japanese people.

During summer, numbers of large-scale fireworks festivals (Hanabi Taikai “花火大会”) are held across the country mostly in July and August. Visitors can view spectacular fireworks that have been prepared for months by pyrotechnicians.

By visiting fireworks festivals, you can also see how people celebrate the summer and feel the authentic summer vibes in Japan. For the tradition, people commonly dress up in Yukata (casual Kimono for summer) and enjoy strolling around the venues in a festive atmosphere with a range of traditional food and snacks sold at stalls as well as festival games.

If you are planning to visit Japan in summer, fireworks are definitely a must-see! As I mentioned above, there are many fireworks festivals taking place during summer, so in this article, I would like to introduce some of the best fireworks in Japan in 2024 summer. Let’s check them out!

-Important Notice-
The listed fireworks festivals may be cancelled or postponed in case of stormy weather. Please check the latest updates on the official websites before planning a visit.

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-Hokkaido and Tohoku Area-

Makomanai Fireworks Festival

Makomanai Fireworks Festival (真駒内花火大会) is a largest-scale fireworks event in Hokkaido, launching approx 22,000 fireworks displayed in the night sky along with music, lighting and flames. It takes place at Makomanai Sekisui Heim Stadium in Sapporo City.

Date: 6 July 2024
Hours: 19:50~20:50
Location: Makomanai Sekisui Heim Stadium, Sapporo City, Hokkaido
Number of Fireworks: approx. 22,000

Nakafurano Lavender Festival & Fireworks

Nakafurano Lavender Festival & Fireworks (なかふらのラベンダーまつり & 花火大会) is held at Hokuseiyama Lavender Field, one of the most popular lavender fields in Hokkaido. It’s a small-scale fireworks, yet viewers can enjoy the fireworks from a very close distance from the top of the surrounding hills.

Date: 20 July 2024
Location: Hokuseiyama Lavender Park, Nakafurano, Hokkaido
Number of Fireworks: approx. 1,300

Aomori Fireworks Festival

Aomori Fireworks Festival (青森花火大会) is held on the last day of Aomori Nebuta Festival, the famous Japanese summer festival that features massive Nebuta floats and takes place in Aomori City for 5 days every year from 2 to 7 August. The waterfront fireworks illuminate the ocean and the night sky, making it a perfect finale of the festival.

Date: 7 August 2024
Hours: 19:15~20:45
Location: Aomori Port, Aomori City, Aomori
Number of Fireworks: approx. 10,000

Omagari Fireworks Festival

Omagari Fireworks Festival (大曲の花火) is held annually in Daisen City, Akita Prefecture. It’s counted as one of Japan’s three major fireworks. It’s a national fireworks competition where top fireworks experts from across Japan compete their skills. Viewers can enjoy spectacular and creative fireworks with advanced techniques. The event also displays daytime fireworks from 17:10 to 18:00.

Date: 31 August 2024
Hours: 17:10~18:00(day fireworks)/18:50~21:30(night fireworks)
Location: Omono River bank, Omagari, Daisen City, Akita
Number of Fireworks: approx. 18,000

Akagawa Fireworks Festival

Akagawa Fireworks Festival (赤川花火記念大会) is one of top fireworks festivals in Japan, which is held in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture annually. Approximately 12,000 fireworks are dynamically launched within a range of 700m, taking advantage of the vast Akagawa River. Only selected pyrotechnician participate the event and showcase their masterpieces of fireworks.

Date: 17 August 2024
Hours: 19:00~
Location: Akagawa River bank, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata
Number of Fireworks: approx. 12,000

Sendai Tanabata Fireworks Festival

Sendai Tanabata Fireworks Festival (仙台七夕花火祭) is held on the night before Sendai Tanabata Matsuri (a.k.a Sendai Star Festival), one of the biggest traditional summer festivals in Japan. The fireworks are launched from the city center in Nishi Park, Sendai, which is pretty rare in Japan.

Date: 5 August 2024
Hours: 19:15~20:30
Location: Nishi Park, Sendai City, Miyagi
Number of Fireworks: approx. 16,000

Soma Fireworks Festival

Soma Fireworks Festival (相馬花火大会) is a fireworks show that features approx 11,000 fireworks and is synchronized with music. All seats are paid viewing system, so you can enjoy the fireworks up close without finding a spot in the crowd. In addition, there is a premium table where you can enjoy watching the spectacular fireworks show with a special dinner course.

Date: 13 July 2024
Hours: 19:30～20:30
Location: Matsukawaura New Port, Soma City, Miyagi
Number of Fireworks: approx. 11,000

-Tokyo and Kanto Area-

Sumida River Fireworks Festival

Sumida River Fireworks Festival (隅田川花火大会) is Tokyo’s largest and oldest firework event with the long history since Edo Period. It’s held on the last Saturday of July and features approx 20,000 fireworks launched in the night sky of Tokyo for 90 mins. The event attracts around 1 million views every year.

Date: 27 July 2024
Hours: 19:00~20:30
Location: Sumida River bank, Tokyo
Number of Fireworks: approx. 20,000

Numbers of large-scale fireworks festivals are held in Tokyo during summer. You can check more of Tokyo’s upcoming fireworks from the link below!

Makuhari Beach Fireworks Festival

Makuhari Beach Fireworks Festival (幕張ビーチ花火フェスタ) a.k.a. Chiba Shimin Fireworks Festival is the largest fireworks event in Chiba Prefecture. The seaside event displays approx 20,000 fireworks in various shapes and colours, launched over Makuhari Beach.

Date: 3 August 2024
Hours: 19:15~20:15
Location: Makuhari Seaside Park, Chiba Prefecture
Number of Fireworks: approx. 20,000

Sakura Hanabi Festa

Sakura Hanani Festa (佐倉花火フェスタ) will be held at Sakura Furusato Square around the shore of Lake Inba-numa in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture. The event features approx 20,000 fireworks including “Big Premium Star Mine” launching 8,000 fireworks in 10 mins along with music. There are some paid seats available where you can watch fireworks without crowds and a hand-held fireworks show right in front.

Date: 3 August 2024
Hours: 19:20～20:30
Location: Sakura Furusato Square, Sakura Park, Chiba Prefecture
Number of Fireworks: approx. 20,000

Minato Mirai Smart Festival

Minato Mirai Smart Festival (みなとみらいスマートフェスティバル) is one of the biggest fireworks event in the Great Tokyo Area. It takes place in Minato Mirai 21 area in Yokohama and displayed approx 20,000 fireworks in 30 mins. The festival also features some live performences of a street artist and taiko drums before setting off the fireworks.

Date: 5 August 2024
Hours:: 19:30~19:55
Location: Minato Mirai 21, Yokohama City, Kanagawa
Number of Fireworks: approx. 20,000

-Central Japan-

Fuji Five Lakes Fireworks Festival

Fuji Five Lakes Fireworks Festivals (富士五湖花火) is a 5-day fireworks event held on the foot of Mt Fuji. It takes place at each lake of the Fuji Five Lakes (Lake Yamanaka, Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Sai, Lake Shoji and Lake Motosu) from 1st to 5th August annually.

Date: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 August 2024
Location : Fuji Five Lakes

More info:

Atami Sea Fireworks

Atami Sea Fireworks (熱海海上花火大会) is a historical fireworks since 1952. It’s held over 10 times a day through the year, not only in summer. The venue of the event is Atami Bay which is surrounded by mountains and creates a sound effect like in a large stadium. You can enjoy the fireworks both in the sky and from the reflection on the water.

Date: 13 April, 2 May, 26 July, 5, 8, 18, 23 August, 16 September, 14, 19 October, 4 November, 8, 22 December 2024
Hours: 20:20~20:40 (20:20~20:45 in July and August)
Location : Atami Bay, Atami City, Shizuoka
Number of Fireworks: approx. 3,000 on each day

Nagaoka Fireworks Festival

Nagaoka Fireworks Festival (長岡花火大会) is one of three major fireworks in Japan, held in Nagaoka City in Niigata Prefecture for 2 days (on 2nd & 3rd August) annually. It attracts around 1 million viewers in 2 days every year. The spectacular fireworks are displayed over the Shinano River, including massive 650m wide fireworks and the 2km long “Fireworks Phoenix”.

Date: 2, 3 August 2024
Hours: 19:20~21:10
Location: Shinano River bank, Nagaoka City, Niigata
Number of Fireworks: approx. 20,000 in 2 days

Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival

Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival (諏訪湖祭湖上花火大会) is one of the biggest fireworks festivals in Japan, featuring 40,000 fireworks in launching from the lake in Suwa City, Nagano. As the lake is surrounded by mountains, it creates amazing echo sounds. Also the mirrored surface of the lake displays spectacular reflections of the fireworks.

Date: 15 August 2024
Hours: 19:00~
Location: Lake Suwa, Suwa City, Nagano
Number of Fireworks: approx. 40,000

Toyota Oiden Festival Fireworks

Toyota Oiden Festival Fireworks (豊田おいでんまつり花火大会) is held as a part of Toyota Oiden Festival, a traditional 2-day summer festival in Toyota City, Aichi. It’s one of the biggest fireworks displayed in central Japan, featuring approx 15,000 creative and colourful fireworks.

Date: 28 July 2024
Hours: 19:10~21:00
Location: Yahagi River bank, Toyota City, Aichi
Number of Fireworks: approx. 15,000

-Western Japan-

Ise Shrine Dedication Fireworks Festival

Ise Shrine Dedication Fireworks Festival (伊勢神宮奉納全国花火大会) is an event to votive fireworks to the Ise Shrine. It’s also a fireworks competition with approx 10,000 high quality fireworks created by 40 different pyrotechnicians from across Japan to show their skills.

Date: 13 July 2024
Hours: 19:20~21:00
Location: Ise City, Mie
Number of Fireworks: approx. 10,000

Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival

Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival (びわ湖大花火大会) features approx 10,000 fireworks launched over Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan. Viewers enjoy the unique view of fireworks created by the jets of the lake water and the reflections on the surface of the lake.

Date:8 August 2024
Hours: 19:30~20:30
Location: Lake Biwa, Otsu City, Shiga
Number of Fireworks: approx. 10,000

Namiwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival

Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival (なにわ淀川花火大会) is the biggest fireworks festival in Osaka, attracting around 600,000 viewers every year. A large number of fireworks in various shapes and colours are set on the bank of Yodo River.

Date: 3 August 2024
Hours: 19:30~20:30
Location: Yodo River bank, Shin Kitano, Osaka

Several fireworks festivals are held in Osaka during summer. Check the following article to find Osaka’s upcoming fireworks!

Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park Fireworks Festival

Tottori Hanakairo (とっとり花回廊) is a flower park with gardens with seasonal flowers as well as greenhouse and walkways in a 50 ha space. The park will host a fireworks festival in 2024 summer, featuring approx 15,000 fireworks which is the largest scale in The San’in Region. There are reserved seats and non-reserved seats available, and tickets must be purchased in advance.

Date: 13 July 2024
Hours: 19:30~20:30
Location: Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park
Number of Fireworks: approx. 15,000

Matsue Suigo Fireworks Festival

Matsue Suigo Fireworks Festival (松江水郷祭 湖上花火大会) is a 2-day fireworks event featuring approx 10,000 fireworks on each day, displayed over Lake Shinji for 45 mins. The view of colourful fireworks reflected on the lake is breathtaking.

Date: 3, 4 August 2024
Hours: 20:00~20:45
Location: Lake Shinji, Matsue City, Shimane
Number of Fireworks: approx. 10,000 on each day

Naruto Fireworks Festival

Naruto Fireworks Festival (鳴門市納涼花火大会) is the largest-scale fireworks event in Tokushima Prefecture, featuring approx 7,000 fireworks. It’s held on 7th August 2023, followed by Naruto Awa Odori Festival, the traditional dance festival taking place for 3 days from 9th to 11th August 2023.

Note: The Naruto Fireworks Festival 2024 is cancelled

Date: N/A
Hours: 19:45~20:50
Location: Naruto City, Tokushima
Number of Fireworks: approx. 7,000

-Kyushu-

Kanmon Kaikyo Fireworks Festival

Kanmon Kaikyo Fireworks Festival (関門海峡 花火大会) is displayed across the Kanmon Straits between Shimonoseki City (Yamaguchi Prefecture) and Kita Kyushu City (Fukuoka Prefecture). Approx 15,000 dazzling fireworks are launched from both side of the straits, attracting over 1 million viewers.

Date:13 August 2024
Hours: 19:50~20:20
Location: Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi and Kita Kyushu City, Fukuoka
Number of Fireworks: approx. 15,000

Chikugo River Fireworks Festival

Chikugo River Fireworks Festival (筑後川花火大会) is held at the bank of Chikugo River, the longest river in Kyushu region. It has a long history of over 350 years and attracts over 450,000 viewers every year. The venue is split into 2 and approx 18,000 fireworks are launched from two different locations on the river shores in Kurume City, Fukuoka.

Date: 5 August 2024
Hours: 19:40~20:50
Location: Kurume City, Fukuoka
Number of Fireworks: approx. 15,000

Huis Ten Bosch

The popular Dutch theme park in Nagasaki City, Huis Ten Bosch hosts a summer event “Light and Canal Summer Festival” everyday from July to September, which includes a fireworks show “Summer Night Fireworks” on selected days.

Date:13, 14, 20, 27 July, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 24 August 2024
Hours: 20:30~20:45
Location: Huis Ten Bosch

In addition, Huis Ten Bosch will hosts the biggest fireworks event in Kyushu region in autumn, featuring approx 22,000 fireworks which synchronize with music. In the climax, 5,000 fireworks will be launched in 5 mins. The Kyushu Ichi Foreworks Festival is scheduled to be held on 16 November 2024.

Ocean Expo Park Fireworks Festival

Ocean Expo Park Fireworks Festival (海洋博公園花火大会) is the largest-scale fireworks event in Okinawa. It displays approx 10,000 fireworks from the Emerald Beach in Ocean Expo Park (Kaiyo Koen), which is located near the popular Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.

Date: 13 July 2024
Hours: 20:00~21:00
Location: Ocean Expo Park Emerald Beach, Kunigami District, Okinawa
Number of Fireworks: approx. 10,000

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Thank you very much for reading! Which fireworks festival do you want to see the most? And if you are going to a fireworks festival, don’t forget to dress up in Yukata and enjoy summer festival food!

For more information about travelling Japan in summer, please check out these articles below, too!

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