Tokyo Fireworks Festivals 2025: Best Shows, Dates & Where to Watch

Summer in Tokyo comes with its kind of magic. As the city heats up, so do the fireworks festivals, transforming riversides and parks into glowing stages for some of the most spectacular pyrotechnic shows in the world. For many travellers, catching a fireworks display in Tokyo feels like stepping into a classic summer scene straight out of an anime — but this time, you are part of it.

With so many events happening across the city, it can be hard to know which ones are truly worth attending. This 2025 guide highlights the top festivals to help you plan your summer trip without feeling overwhelmed.

Also read: How to Ride the Shinkansen in Japan: 8 Hacks Every Traveller Should Know

For the full Tokyo fireworks experience

Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival

Date: 26 July 2025 (7.00PM to 8.30PM)
Location: Sumida River, Asakusa
Fireworks: Approximately 20,000
Admission: Free

Sumidagawa is Tokyo’s oldest and most famous fireworks festival, dating back to 1733. Each year, top pyrotechnic guilds compete to deliver elaborate, highly choreographed displays that turn the sky into a moving work of art. Nearly one million spectators gather along the Sumida River to witness this event, filling the streets of Asakusa and creating a festive atmosphere that begins long before sunset. The combination of history, scale, and energy makes this the definitive Tokyo hanabi experience for many visitors.

TripZilla Tip: Book a river cruise or find a rooftop package for a more comfortable viewing experience, as riverside spots fill up hours in advance.

Also read: 10 Fun Things to Do in Tokyo for First-Time Travellers

For fireworks synchronised to music

Edogawa Fireworks Festival

Date: 2 August 2025 (7.15PM to 8.30PM)
Location: Edogawa River (near Shinozaki Park)
Fireworks: Approximately 14,000
Admission: Free

Unlike most fireworks festivals, Edogawa’s show is divided into themed segments set to music, creating a rhythm and narrative that builds throughout the night. Each segment showcases a different colour palette and mood, blending sound and light into a full sensory experience. The opening is especially dramatic, with 1,000 fireworks launched in just five seconds, lighting up the sky almost instantly. Adding to the spectacle, the show is synchronised with Ichikawa City across the river, offering mirror displays on both banks.

TripZilla Tip: Expect heavy crowds at nearby train stations after the show. Consider staying overnight nearby or planning your exit route in advance.

For a more relaxed, spacious viewing experience

Showa Kinen Park Fireworks Festival

Date: 26 July 2025
Location: Showa Memorial Park, Tachikawa
Fireworks: Approximately 5,000
Admission: Free

Showa Kinen Park offers one of the most spacious and relaxed settings to enjoy fireworks in Tokyo. Unlike the tightly packed riverbank venues in central Tokyo, this park allows visitors to spread out comfortably on the lawns, making it ideal for families and travellers looking for a slower pace. The fireworks may be smaller in scale compared to the city’s major shows, but the open-air atmosphere, wide lawns, and peaceful setting create a different kind of hanabi experience that many prefer.

TripZilla Tip: Admission to the park is free all day on fireworks day. Arrive early to enjoy the park and secure a good viewing spot.

For smaller local vibes

Katsushika Fireworks Festival

Date: 22 July 2025 (7.20PM to 8.20PM)
Location: Shibamata Baseball Field, Katsushika
Fireworks: Approximately 15,000
Admission: Free

Set along the Edogawa River in the Shibamata district, Katsushika’s fireworks festival offers a slightly more local atmosphere compared to Tokyo’s major city-centre shows. The fireworks launch from a relatively close distance, giving spectators a more immersive, up-close viewing experience. Many locals arrive early to picnic along the banks, and the nearby Shibamata Taishakuten temple adds a touch of cultural charm to the evening, making it a lovely pre-fireworks stop for visitors.

Itabashi and Toda Fireworks Festival

Date: 2 August 2025 (7.00PM to 8.30PM)
Location: Arakawa River, Itabashi and Toda
Fireworks: Approximately 13,000
Admission: Free

Taking place on both sides of the Arakawa River, this festival offers two simultaneous shows coordinated between Itabashi Ward in Tokyo and Toda City in Saitama. Its standout feature is the massive Niagara display, which stretches 700 metres across the river like a shimmering waterfall of light. Because of the spacious riverside layout, many visitors find this festival slightly less overwhelming than some of Tokyo’s most crowded venues, while still delivering an impressive visual show.

Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival

Date: 16 August 2025
Location: Meiji Jingu Stadium, Shibuya
Fireworks: Approximately 10,000
Admission: Paid seating required (ticket prices vary)

Located right in the heart of central Tokyo, Jingu Gaien’s fireworks offer a rare chance to experience hanabi surrounded by the city skyline. The event combines a full fireworks display with live performances by popular Japanese artists, creating a festival-like atmosphere inside the stadium. While paid seating inside Meiji Jingu Stadium and nearby venues offers the best views, some of the fireworks can still be seen from surrounding areas, making it accessible even without a ticket if you’re willing to settle for partial views.

TripZilla Tip: Tickets for the stadium tend to sell out early. If you’re hoping for a seat, book in advance once sales open.

Also read: Souvenirs to Buy in Tokyo: Sweet Snacks Worth Bringing Home From Japan.

Easy day trips for fireworks outside Tokyo

Lake Kawaguchiko Fireworks

Date: 5 August 2025
Location: Kawaguchiko (near Mt. Fuji)

Few fireworks festivals come with a backdrop as iconic as Mount Fuji. At Lake Kawaguchiko, the fireworks reflect beautifully over the lake’s calm waters, while Fuji rises quietly in the distance, adding a dramatic natural silhouette to the show. This combination of nature and fireworks makes Kawaguchiko one of the most scenic summer hanabi destinations near Tokyo. Many visitors choose to turn this into a full overnight trip, combining sightseeing with the evening show.

TripZilla Tip: Accommodations around Kawaguchiko book out quickly during fireworks season. Reserve your stay well in advance if you plan to stay overnight.

Kamakura Fireworks Festival

Date: 18 July 2025
Location: Yuigahama Beach, Kamakura

Just an hour from Tokyo by train, Kamakura’s fireworks offer a laid-back coastal vibe that feels different from the city’s riverbank shows. Many visitors spend the day exploring Kamakura’s temples, shrines, and streets before ending the evening with fireworks over Yuigahama Beach. With the sound of waves blending into the show and the warm sea breeze, this festival captures a more relaxed side of Japan’s summer fireworks season.

TripZilla Tip: Bring a picnic mat and arrive early to secure a good spot on the beach, as viewing areas fill up quickly closer to showtime.

Atami Marine Fireworks Festival

Date: Multiple dates between July and August 2025
Location: Atami Sun Beach, Izu Peninsula

Atami’s fireworks stand out not just for their setting, but for their frequency. With multiple shows scheduled across the summer, it offers more flexibility for travellers compared to one-night-only events. The fireworks are launched over Atami Bay, with reflections across the water and the surrounding coastal hills framing the show. The city’s many seaside ryokans make it an ideal overnight escape from Tokyo, combining traditional hot spring stays with front-row views of the fireworks.

TripZilla Tip: Many ryokans offer ocean-facing rooms where you can watch the fireworks right from your balcony — but these sell out fast during the festival season, so book early if possible.

Also read: Exploring Japan: 9 Easy Day Trips from Tokyo.

Other festivals later in the year

Even after summer ends, you can still catch fireworks around Tokyo if your trip falls later in the year. These autumn shows may not be as intense as the summer ones, but they offer a quieter, more relaxed way to experience Japan’s fireworks season. If you are visiting outside the usual peak months, these festivals are still worth adding to your itinerary.

• Chofu City Fireworks (20 September 2025)
• Kita Fireworks Festival (Late September 2025, date to be confirmed)
• Tamagawa Fireworks Festival (4 October 2025)
• Sakura Citizens Fireworks (25 October 2025)
• Narita Fireworks Festival (November 2025, date to be confirmed)
• Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition (1 November 2025)

TripZilla Tip: For autumn visitors, these later-season shows offer a great chance to experience hanabi without the intense summer heat.

Also read: Autumn Season in Japan: 15 Things to Do & Places to Visit.

Final thoughts

Fireworks are one of the most iconic parts of summer in Japan, and Tokyo offers no shortage of ways to experience them. From massive city-centre displays like Sumidagawa that draw huge crowds, to more relaxed shows like Showa Kinen Park or the beachside festivals in Kamakura and Atami, each event captures a different side of Japan’s hanabi culture. Some festivals come with the buzz and energy of a full summer matsuri, while others offer quieter moments with scenic backdrops and space to unwind.

With a little planning (whether it is booking a hotel early, arriving ahead of the crowds, or choosing a festival that fits your pace), you can easily make fireworks a highlight of your Japan trip. No matter which one you choose, watching the sky light up on a warm Tokyo night is an experience that feels like stepping into a summer scene you have seen many times before — only this time, it is real.