Tokyo fireworks 2014

An essential part of any Tokyo summer, fireworks displays will again be taking place all over and around the capital in July and August. This year's celebrations kick off with the Adachi Fireworks on July 19 and include everything from classics (Sumida River, Jingu Gaien) to film-themed festivals (Chofu) and smaller-scale happenings out in the western forests (Ome). It's time to dust off your yukata, find the best viewing spot well in advance, and enjoy the colourful spectacle while snacking on some tasty festival grub.

July

Adachi Fireworks

July 19 | Arakawa River (near Kita-Senju, Kosuge Stations)
With its origins going back as far as 1924, Adachi's annual fireworks festival kicks off the Tokyo fireworks season. This year will see rockets shot up from three locations instead of the regular two – the Nishi-Arai side of the river is usually the best spot for relaxed viewing.
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Yokohama Sparkling Twilight

July 19-20 | Yamashita Koen
Now in its third year and taking place around the seaside Yamashita Park, Yokohama Sparkling Twilight lights up not only the city but also the sky above it. Popular restaurants and bars set up booths, a variety of performances take place on the stages and parades cross through town – and all of this is before the main event, which sees a fireworks show combined with illuminated boats crisscrossing the sea in front of the park. Spend all day here and see Yokohama at its best.
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Katsushika Noryo Hanabi

July 22 | Shibamata Baseball Field
Held every year along the Edogawa, Katsushika's popular fireworks festival is known for the short distance between where the around 13,000 rockets are shot up and where onlookers are allowed to sit. Walk along the picturesque street reaching from Taishakuten temple to the river and you'll get a taste of what old Edo was like in summer.
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Kamakura Fireworks Festival

July 23 | Yuigahama Beach
If the many Tokyo summer fireworks displays are a little too crowded and urban for your taste, head on down to the beach in Kamakura for this small-scale but fun and energetic local version. The colourful explosions are made even more impressive by the reflections off the surface of the water, and unimpeded views are not hard to find.
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Sumida River Fireworks Festival

July 26 | Sumida Park
Japan's oldest recorded fireworks festival dates back to 1733, when it was staged as part of a ceremony to pray for victims of a severe famine the previous year. Today, it's by far the largest display in the capital – this year's will involve more than 20,000 fireworks – and regularly draws close to a million spectators.
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Tachikawa Fireworks Festival

July 26 | Showa Kinen Park
It may not be the biggest of Tokyo's many fireworks displays, but Tachikawa's hanabi is certainly one of the more comfy ones. Centred on the spacious Showa Kinen Park and taking place for the 56th time this year, the festival always gathers massive crowds, so make sure to arrive early in order to reserve your viewing spot. Temporary recycling centres will be set up around the area as well, so you'll have no excuse not to clean up after yourself.
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Hachioji Fireworks

July 26 | Fujimori Park Shimin Kyujo
Taking place on the weekend before the Hachioji Festival, this western city's fireworks party is a relatively small-scale affair (3,600 rockets will be launched), but it makes up for the lack of size with an interesting variety of explosions and the impressive 'Fire Festival' taking place from 4pm on the same night.
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August

Itabashi Fireworks Festival

August 2 | Banks of Arakawa River, Itabashi
Taking advantage of a serendipitous schedule clash, Itabashi's annual fireworks display takes place at the same time as the one in Toda City, just across the waters of the Arakawa River. You can expect a combined 11,000 fireworks to go up in the course of the evening, including an enormous ‘star mine’ and the spectacular ‘Niagara Falls’, a 600-metre chain of explosions that always draws the biggest cheers of the night. If you want to guarantee yourself a good vantage point, reservations for reserved seating areas are taken now.
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Ome Noryo Fireworks Festival

August 2 | Nagayama Park
First held in 1948 to mark the opening of Toei Bus service in the Ome region, this fireworks display is recommended for those who want to escape the crowds at Tokyo's big-name alternatives. The 'falling fire' effect caused by some of the explosions is impressive (and loud!), but the real highlight is when nearby Nagayama Hill is lit up by the massive fountain of bursting colour set up on the hill's hiking trail.
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Kanagawa Newspaper Fireworks

August 5 | Rinko Park
As if July's Yokohama Sparkling Twilight wasn't enough, the Minato Mirai area gets another fireworks display in early August. This one features an astounding 15,000 fireworks, including the gigantic Nishakudama, which spread out 480m in the sky. Nearly 200,000 spectators are expected to be in attendance.
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Tokyo Bay Fireworks

August 10 | Harumifuto Park
Set against the backdrop of Tokyo Bay and the Rainbow Bridge, this is arguably the most picturesque fireworks festival in the capital – and the most exclusive. The official viewing spots in the Harumi Pier area sell out quickly and nearby hotels have already been booked long ago. The festival features 12,000 fireworks launched from the sea in front of Harumifuto Park, and is best viewed from slightly further away: try Odaiba, Tokyo Tower or even Roppongi Hills.
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Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival

August 16 | Jingu Stadium
Yukata-clad spectators crowd the streets of Harajuku and Aoyama during the annual Jingu Gaien Fireworks, a display that ranks alongside the Sumida River and Tokyo Bay events as one of Tokyo's top summer fireworks festivals. The cluster of sports stadiums to the south of Sendagaya Station offer the best vantage points, albeit at a significant premium: expect to pay between ¥3,500 and ¥25,000 for admission to each, which includes a program of J-pop performances in the run-up to the fireworks themselves. Alternatively, just wander around the surrounding area until you find somewhere you can see the action for free.
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Chofu Summer Fireworks

August 24 | Tama River in Chofu
For its 32nd annual hanabi celebration, Chofu has decided to recognise its connection to the movie industry. Several film scenes have been shot on the banks of the Tamagawa, and Chofu is home to multiple studios and film-related companies. Dubbed the 'City of Cinema: Chofu Summer Fireworks', this festival sees around 8,000 fireworks launched over the river, choreographed to popular film scores.
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