JJapan Trips

Tokyo Fireworks (Hanabi) Festivals 2024 – Summer/Autumn – Tips & Recommendations


I've seen and responded to various questions about fireworks shows recently, so I decided to create a general tips post.

It's for anyone interested, but particularly for people who may not have been to them before.

Just Tokyo area for length and they're what I know most. Shows I've never seen are not included.

Key point of these recommendations is to guide people towards close, clear and convenient spots as much as possible. There are some exceptions, but this is why I mostly won't be recommending distant spots, even if the view might be good.

Anyone who wants to share their own tips and recommendations about where to watch a show from is welcome to do so.

 

Event Listings

Firstly, general guides to what's on and when are easy to Google in English. These are all basically fine:

https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/tokyo-fireworks-festivals/ (this one also has many of the Autumn shows listed)

https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/things-to-do/tokyo-fireworks

https://www.gotokyo.org/en/story/guide/fireworks-guide/index.html

If you can navigate (or are happy to auto-translate) Japanese sites then the following sites usually have the most comprehensive listings. They all have nationwide coverage, not limited to just Tokyo:

https://hanabi.cloud (year-round info – most comprehensive)

https://sp.jorudan.co.jp/hanabi/ (basically summer only)

https://hanabi.walkerplus.com/ (basically summer only)

 

General Tips

When to arrive

Getting there early (3-4 hours before start) is common advice. This is good advice. However, if solo/couple, finding some small space on the grass/ground to sit is often possible, even close to a show's start time. It mainly depends on the show and the specific viewing area. Some actually will be sardines with no space at all, though, just not all.

 

When to leave after the show

If you're not in a rush to get to another event/reservation, then waiting for the worst of the crowds to die down before you head out is my recommendation, esp. if in a group. Depending on various factors, it could take time to simply leave the viewing area, and then the station may anyway have entry restrictions when you reach it. Waiting 30 mins to 1 hour (or more) after the show can give you a calmer journey back. Other options are to leave the show a little early, before the finale (many do this), or to walk up to the next station on the line you need (can be hit and miss).

Main thing is, in general for these Tokyo area shows, waiting a little won't risk you missing last trains or anything (unless you have a super long way to travel).

 

Saving a spot

If you are able to get to an area early, then you can try saving your spot for later. A leisure sheet/blanket and something to hold it in place are needed for this. This can be pegs, water bottles, large stones, cooler boxes, tripods, books, etc. Sheets, pegs and water bottles should be available in conbinis, 100Yen stores, Donki, etc.

For actually saving the spot, including where to place it, if it's your first time then follow the lead of the people around you. If other people are doing it, it's probably fine for you to do it too. If an area has 0 people/sheets down then it might be restricted or have a bad/no view or something.

In general, it's fine to leave your saved spot unattended. You do not need to stay there the whole time, but be aware there is risk, especially from the wind, but also from other viewers being careless, of your sheet getting moved to some extent. Blatant spot 'stealing' isn't something I've ever witnessed.

 

Food/Drink

Many shows and viewing areas will have food stalls (yatai) on the grounds, though not all of them. But even where there's nothing official, shops lining the route towards the viewing area may set up stalls to sell food/drink to passers-by. It's often worth picking up any food/drink from such a stall, or a regular shop/supermarket before you reach the viewing area, as even if the area does have stalls, the queues for them may be excessively long.

 

Toilets

Good to have some awareness of where the closest toilets are. Official viewing areas will often have portable toilets set up in reasonable locations. The queues for these often get quite long, but may still be the quickest option.

 

Other things to have

Bug repellent/mosquito spray – I often forget this but especially for any show near a river it's useful

Sunscreen

Heat protection goods, face towels, etc.

 

Show Recommendations (ordered by date)

What follows are my recommendations based on my experience with specific shows. Not intended as the only, or even the 'best' way to watch each show, just my recommendation from what was good for me.

 

Kamakura Fireworks Festival

  • July 17th (Wed) – 7:20pm – 8:10pm
  • 2,500 shots
  • Recommendation level – High
  • https://tokyocheapo.com/events/kamakura-fireworks-festival/
  • General point – One of only a few shows to have water-surface fireworks – very interesting if not seen before.
  • Where to watch from – The main beach area. It's wide and has a good view. 1-2 hours before start is recommended.
  • Getting back – Best to avoid the Enoden. If using Kamakura station, swing around to the west entrance, is normally less busy than the east.
  • Spot around here – https://maps.app.goo.gl/4bQDGe4TW3ff2d6x6

 

Adachi Fireworks

  • July 20th (Sat) – 7:20pm – 8:20pm
  • 13,000 shots
  • Recommendation level – High
  • https://www.adachikanko.net/en/adachi_no_hanabi46
  • General point – Traditionally Tokyo's first big show of the season.
  • Where to watch from – It's a wide (200m) show, so from the front or back is best (i.e. not the side). From the map on page 5 of this pamphlet, somewhere between 18 and 22 is my recommendation. The flat area usually fills up later than the slopes, but still 1 hour+ before is recommended. Stations are Kosuge, Gotanno or Umejima.
  • Getting back – Using one of the above stations is typically easier than going to Kita-Senju.
  • Spot around here – https://maps.app.goo.gl/5G86c4eenyCU87tn9

 

Katsushika Nouryou Fireworks

  • July 23rd (Tue) – 7:20pm – 8:20pm
  • 15,000 shots
  • Recommendation level – High
  • https://tokyocheapo.com/events/katsushika-fireworks-festival/
  • General point – Biggest single show in Tokyo this summer, but relatively a hidden gem.
  • Where to watch from – East bank of river in Chiba. Walkable from Kanamachi or Yagiri stations (20-25 mins). Plenty of space for the people that know of it, so no need to arrive particularly early. The main area is on the west side, near Shibamata, but without going super early, it may be tough to get a good spot. Word of warning – my recommendation is for an unofficial area and there are basically no toilets.
  • Getting back – Yagiri will probably be more manageable than Kanamachi immediately after the show. The adventurous can walk up to Matsudo.
  • Spot around here – https://maps.app.goo.gl/athXpgNxSUoki3368

 

Sumidagawa Fireworks

  • July 27th (Sat) – 7:00pm – 8:30pm
  • ~20,000 shots in total (9,507 + 10,650)
  • Recommendation level – Low
  • https://tokyocheapo.com/events/sumidagawa-fireworks-festival/
  • General point – Though it sounds like it's the biggest show, it's actually 2 shows, 1.3km apart and it's very difficult to get a good view of both unless you have access to a well-placed rooftop, balcony, or boat. It's very famous and has the longest history, but I think other Tokyo shows have surpassed it in quality and comfort.
  • Where to watch from – No strong recommendation, but Shioiri Park near Minami Senju perhaps, though it gets very crowded and is still quite far from the fireworks (2.5km). Perhaps watch out on Meetup.com in case there's an event (there was last year).
  • Getting back – Just avoid Asakusa station.
  • Spot around here – No strong recommendation

 

Itabashi Hanabi (Todabashi Hanabi)

  • Aug 3rd (Sat) – 7:00pm – 8:30pm
  • 15,000 shots in total (7,500 + 7,500)
  • https://tokyocheapo.com/events/todabashi-fireworks-festival/
  • Recommendation level – High
  • General points – Unique collaboration/synchronisation between Itabashi (Tokyo, south side of river) and Toda City (Saitama, north side of river). Fireworks will launch from both banks (200m apart) and also from a barge in the middle. This is the only show in the country I think with this kind of setup.
    • Additionally, apparently the largest single shell fireworks in Tokyo will be launched at this event.
  • Where to watch from – All the best viewing spots are ticketed. If not getting a ticket, it's recommended to view from the Itabashi side and, from this map –https://itabashihanabi.jp/map.html, target the slopes 3, 15, 16, 17 or the flat areas in front of 4 or 14-17. 1-2 hours beforehand is best for this. Toda side outside of the paid area should also be good, but due to on-the-day restrictions, it'll be 40+ mins to get there from the station.
  • Getting back – No special tip.
  • Spot around here (Itabashi-side) – https://maps.app.goo.gl/QG9wUcEXBHBUWhUT9 or https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9jA8GNgNkU1HAmV6

  

Jingu-Gaien Fireworks

  • Aug 10th (Sat) – 7:30pm – 8:30pm (concert from 5:00pm)
  • 10,000 fireworks
  • Recommendation level – Medium
  • https://tokyocheapo.com/events/jingugaien-fireworks-festival/
  • General point – Only big summer show in the 23 wards that's not by a river. The show is also preceded by a full on concert at the stadium. Only 'medium' because the tickets are relatively expensive and getting a comfortable view elsewhere can be tough.
  • Where to watch from – Good to buy a ticket and watch from the stadiums, get to experience a concert too. For free areas, no guarantees, but in the past, the street on the south side of Keio University Shinanomachi Campus, around the footbridge (500m away) and the Sophia Walking Path (ソフィア散歩みち) (1.5km away) were okay (though not great).
  • Getting back – Best to avoid the closest stations if you buy a ticket to watch from the main area. Probably no huge issues with if watching from the free spots mentioned above.
  • Spot around here – https://maps.app.goo.gl/vjw21K3B2mJUMhYXA or https://maps.app.goo.gl/kc8vCCtahDhPNzY16

 

[Ota-ku] Praying for Peace Fireworks

  • Aug 15th (Thu) – Time TBC
  • Usually 6,000 shots
  • Recommendation level – High
  • https://www.city.ota.tokyo.jp/event/event_kankou/hanabi.html (Japanese)
  • General point – Tokyo's best 'hidden gem' of a show. It's usually only 30-40 mins and feels 'denser' than most other shows. It has a peace/anti-war theme that is usually woven into the fireworks via music & narration.
  • Where to watch from – The main area, near Rokugodote station ('Tamagawa Green Zone Baseball Field'). Best view, usually completely free and no real need to get there early if you don't mind having less choice.
  • Getting back – No special tip.
  • Spot around here – https://maps.app.goo.gl/VAYi7afS72aYMRYp9

 

Edogawa Fireworks (Ichikawa Fireworks)

 

Chofu Fireworks

  • September 21st (Sat) – 6:15pm – 7:15pm
  • ~10,000 fireworks(?)
  • Recommendation level – High
  • https://tokyocheapo.com/events/chofu-city-fireworks-festival/
  • General point – First of the earlier starting autumn shows. The show will be done by 7:15pm, so plenty of time to make additional plans for the evening. Not such a famous show, but the quality is still pretty high.
  • Where to watch from – The main area is mostly ticketed, though there are also free areas at the back. My non-ticketed recommendation is to watch from the other side of the river (a common theme in this post) in Kawasaki. Though it's unofficial, last year there were a few stalls and there are toilets in a nearby park, so it's reasonably convenient. The main road going along the riverside should get shut down by 5:30pm and most spots along that road have a good view, so no big need to arrive before 5:30pm (though you may need stand if watching from the road). You can sit and watch from the grassy slope/riverside, but the good spots there were mostly gone by mid-afternoon last year. Inadazutsumi and Keio-Inadazutsumi stations are closest.
  • Getting back – No special advice. Maybe Nakanoshima Station will be smoother than the Inadazutsumis.
  • Spot around here – https://maps.app.goo.gl/VkjakA4EzK4UifRn8

 

Kita Fireworks

  • September 28th (Sat) – 6:30pm
  • ~10,000 fireworks(?)
  • Recommendation level – High
  • https://tokyocheapo.com/events/kita-fireworks-festival/
  • General point – This is another one of Tokyo's hidden gems. It's not particularly famous outside of the local area, but it's still usually a pretty big and intense show. Being in late September means an earlier sunset and so an earlier start/end time, so lots of time to go wherever afterwards.
  • Where to watch from – For paid seats and some free seats, the official area on the south bank (Akabane) is fine and is basically the only way to see the show intended by the organisers, including the music synchronisation. It's busy, but in general it's not as crazy as the summer shows. Tickets are also usually reasonably priced. An alternative for 'just' watching the fireworks is the huge space on the north side of the river (Kawaguchi in Saitama). The view of the fireworks is still great and, though people will gather there, there's a 9-hole golf course and a lengthy embankment's worth of open space, so going early isn't required at all. However, being unofficial, there's no toilets or food stalls, though there are some conbinis within a 5-10 minute walk. Closest station is Kawaguchi-Motogou.
  • Getting back – No additional advice. Kawaguchi-Motogou Station is usually not crazily crowded at any point as many people watching from that side are locals. The Akabane-side stations will be much busier.
  • Spot around here – https://maps.app.goo.gl/MQDbXxbzDuACA2Xm9

by arika_ex

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