Stephanie Lauw
If you’re travelling to Tokyo during the summer, you’re in for a treat! To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the Tokyo Sumida River Fireworks Festival is back for a bigger and brighter display. Originating from the Edo period of 18th century Japan, the yearly affair is the oldest, and most popular, fireworks festival in the country.
Attracting more than 900,000 visitors a year, the Tokyo Sumida River Fireworks Festival is located near to popular tourist spots such as Nakamise Shopping Street at Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree. It’s the perfect end to a long day spent exploring the city!
What:
2017 Sumida River Fireworks Festival
When:
29 July 2017 (Sat), 7.05-8.30pm
The first show starts at 7.05pm, and the second show at 7.30pm. At 8.30pm, the festival ends off with a bang, where a grand finale launches more than 1,000 fireworks to the sky.
Where:
The first show site is a 15-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza line and the Toei Asakusa line, whereas the second show site is a 5-minute walk from Kuramae Station on the Toei Asakusa line and Toei Oedo line.
However, we recommend heading to the second site near Kuramae Station, where it is easier to secure a viewing spot. The Edo-dori and Kasuga-dori streets are closed off for guests to sit on the road and admire the dazzling fireworks.
Feast on delicious street food
To add on to the spirit of merrymaking, there will be numerous street food stalls set up on the festival site. Delight your taste buds with mouthwatering yakisoba fried noodles, takoyaki octopus balls, yakitori grilled chicken, and much more!
Immerse yourself in Japanese summer traditions
For the full experience of summer in Tokyo, check out the pre-festival activities located just a stone’s throw away from the festival grounds! Rent a yukata kimono from ‘Nadeshiko’, a kimono shop located on the 4th floor of the Ekimise shopping complex. This shopping complex is connected to Asakusa station on the Tobu Skytree line, making it extremely convenient to get there! Alternatively, choose to satisfy your sweet tooth with seasonal summer ice cream from Solamachi, Tokyo Skytree’s shopping complex.
Participate in lots of exciting summer activities
If you’re travelling around Tokyo this summer, there’s no shortage of exhilarating activities to do that’ll allow you to join in the cultural celebrations and experience the season like a local. From 1 to 3 August 2017, the foot of Tokyo Skytree transforms into a Bon Odori festival site, where guests can join in the folk tradition and dance to rhythmic taiko music. Additionally, a beer garden will be set up from from 16 June to 24 September 2017, where visitors can enjoy an ice-cold beer with a scenic view of the Tokyo Skytree!
Can’t wait to watch 22,000 fireworks light up the sky at the Tokyo Sumida River Fireworks Festival? Well, don’t just stop there! Visit these other fireworks festivals accessible by train from Tokyo’s Ikebukuro and Asakusa stations (along the Tobu Railway lines) for a dazzling extravaganza:
39th Adachi Fireworks
Date: 22 July 2017
Time: 7.30-8.30pm
How to get there: Take a train from Asakusa Station (on the Tobu Skytree Line) to Kosuge Station (20-minute ride), from which the festival is about a 15-minute walk away.
103rd Ashikaga Fireworks Festival
Date: 5 August 2017
Time: 7.00-8.45pm
How to get there: Take the Limited Express ‘Ryomo’ from Asakusa Station (on the Tobu Skytree Line Asakusa Station) to Ashikagashi Station, from which festival is about a 5-minute walk away.
Fireworks Illusion Summer 2017
Date: 5, 12, 19 August 2017
Time: 7.30-7.50pm
How to get there: Take a train from Asakusa Station (on the Tobu Skytree Line), and transfer at Hikifune Station to reach Tobu-dobutsu-koen Station (50 minutes), from which the festival is a 10-minute walk away.
34th Asaka City Festival SAIKASAI
Date: 5 August 2017
Time: 7.15-8-15pm
How to get there: Take a train from Ikebukuro Station (on the TobuTojo Line) to Asaka Station (20 minutes), from which the festival is about a 5-minute walk away.
Want to have a holiday like no other? Do it with a bang during Japan’s fireworks season, where you’ll be able to, quite literally, see stars. Tobu Railway, being a major rail network covering the Kanto area, also provides easy and convenient access to other popular sightseeing spots such as Senso-ji Temple at Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree – the world’s tallest tower, UNESCO World Heritage Site Nikko, as well as Kawagoe – a quaint little old town.
For more information on Tobu Railway services, discount train passes and other usual sightseeing information, check out their official website and Facebook page. Japan’s railways are notoriously hard to navigate, so why not make your life easier with the Tobu Railway lines? Save yourself the headache and get ready to be blown away by the stunning fireworks displays!
Brought to you by Tobu Railway Group.
