It’s that time of year again when fireworks color the sky on sultry summer nights.
A centuries-old summer entertainment, fireworks draw crowds, many sporting light “yukata” kimono, to enjoy not only the heavenly spectacle but also the yakitori and “yakisoba” fried noodles sold at the innumerable stalls. And what fireworks display would be complete without beer?
Finally, the true fireworks aficionado takes public transportation (there’s not place to park, after all) and joins the throng of revelers meandering slowly from station to venue.
The following is a guide to some of the major fireworks displays around the Tokyo area and across Japan:
Yokohama
July 20 — 19:30 to 20:40 Launched from barges off Yamashita Park, the fireworks can best be viewed from Rinko Park, Red Brick Warehouse and Yamashita Park accessible from Minatomirai, Bashamichi and Nippon-Odori stations on the Minatomirai Line. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the opening of Yokohama port.
Number of fireworks: 6,000
For more information, call: (0180) 99-4045
Katsushika, Tokyo
July 22 — 19:20 to 20:20 This display launches from the banks of the Edo River near Shibamata Station on the Keisei Kanamachi Line or Shin-Shibamata Station on the Hokuso Line.
Number of fireworks: 10,000
Call (03) 3838-5558
Adachi, Tokyo
July 24 — 19:15 to 20:45 Come to the banks of the Arakawa River near Kita-Senju Station by the JR Joban Line, or take the Hibiya or Chiyoda subway lines, or the Tobu Isesaki and Tsukuba Express lines, to Kosuga, Gotanno or Umeshima stations on the Tobu Isesaki Line.
Number of fireworks: 15,000
Call (03) 3880-5853
Sumida River, Tokyo
July 26 — 19:10 to 20:30 At two locations on the banks of the Sumida River, on the border of Taito and Sumida wards in Tokyo, near Asakusa Station via JR or subway lines. Most consider this the No. 1 display.
Number of fireworks: 20,000
Call (03) 5608-6951
Tachikawa, Tokyo
July 26 — 19:20 to 20:30 Showa Kinen Park near JR Tachikawa Station.
Number of fireworks: 5,000
Call (042) 527-2700
Kanagawa Shimbun, Yokohama
Aug. 1 — 19:15 to 20:30 At Rinko Park near Minatomirai Station on the Minatomirai Line.
Number of fireworks: 8,000
Call (045) 227-0744
PL Fireworks in Tondabayashi, Osaka Prefecture
Aug. 1 — 19:45 to 20:45 At Hikarigaoka Country Club near Tondabayashi Station on the Kintetsu-Nagano Line.
Number of fireworks: 20,000
Call (0721) 24-1111
Edogawa, Tokyo
Aug. 2 — 19:15 to 20:30 On the banks of the Edo River near Shinozaki Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line.
Number of fireworks: 14,000
Call (03) 5662-0523
Toda, Saitama Prefecture, and Itabashi, Tokyo
Aug. 2 — 19:00 to 20:45 On the banks of the Arakawa River, on the border of Saitama and Tokyo, near Toda Koen Station on the JR Saikyo Line.
Number of fireworks: 10,000
Call (048) 431-0206
Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture
Aug. 2 and 3 — 19:25 to 21:20 both days On the banks of the Shinano River near Nagaoka Station on the Joetsu bullet train and other JR lines. One of the largest firework events in Japan.
Number of fireworks: 20,000
Call (0258) 39-2221
Enoshima, Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture
Aug. 5 — 19:15 to 20:15 On Enoshima Island near Katase-Enoshima Station on the Odakyu Line and Enoshima Station of the Enoden Line.
Number of fireworks: 5,000
Call (0466) 22-4141
Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture
Aug. 9 — 19:00 to 21:00 On the banks of the Arakawa River near Kumagaya Station on the JR Takasaki and Chichibu Railway lines.
Number of fireworks: 10,000
Call (048) 524-1111
Naniwa Yodogawa, Osaka
Aug. 9 — 19:50 to 20:40 On the banks of the Yodo River near Tsukamoto Station on the JR Tokaido Line or Juso Station on the Hankyu Line.
Number of fireworks: 20,000
Call (06) 6307-5522
Tokyo Bay
Aug. 10 — 19:00 to 20:20 At Harumi Wharf Park near Kachidoki Station on the Oedo subway line or Tsukishima and Toyosu stations on the Yurakucho subway line.
Number of fireworks: 12,000
Call (03) 3248-1561
Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
Aug. 11 — 19:00-20:20 At Yuigahama and Zaimokuza beaches near Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line or Yuigahama and Wadazuka stations on the Enoden Line. When the pyrotechnics barge is being reloaded, a fishing boat drops fireworks into the water, creating mirror-like explosions.
Number of fireworks: 4,000
Call (0467) 23-3050
Tama River, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo and Takatsu Ward, Kawasaki
Aug. 16 — 19:00 to 20:00 On the banks of the Tama River near Futako-Tamagawa and Futako-Shinchi stations on the Den-En-Toshi Line.
Number of fireworks: 12,000
Call (03) 3482-2169
Daisen, Akita Prefecture
Aug. 23 — 17:00-17:40, 18:50 to 21:30 On the banks of the Omono River near Omagari Station on the Akita bullet train and other JR lines. One of the largest fireworks displays in Japan.
Number of fireworks: 15,000
Call (0187) 62-1262
Tsurumi River, Yokohama
Aug. 23 — from 19:30 At Tsukuno Park near Tsurumi Station on the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line.
Number of fireworks: 1,000
Call (045) 521-5530
Kanazawa, Yokohama
Aug. 23 — 19:00-20:00 At Umi-no-Koen (Sea Park) in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, near Umi-no-Koen Shiba-Guchi, Umi-no-Koen Minami-Guchi and Nippon-Odori stations on the Seaside Line.
Number of fireworks: 3,500
Call (045) 788-7801
Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture
Oct. 4 — 18:00-20:30 On the banks of the Sakura River near Tsuchiura Station on the JR Joban Line. One of the largest fireworks displays in Japan.
Number of fireworks: 20,000
Call (029) 824-2810
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