[2026 Edition] Kanto Fireworks Festival Calendar — Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma
Complete calendar of fireworks festivals across Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Gunma for 2026, with access and highlights.
Kanto Fireworks — Highlights for 2026
The Kanto region is one of the areas with the highest concentration of fireworks festivals in Japan. Especially from late July to early August, large-scale festivals are held every weekend and draw many tourists. In this article, we introduce the major fireworks festivals in the six Kanto prefectures in date order. ※ The dates are typical guidelines. Please confirm the confirmed 2026 dates on the official websites.
Major Fireworks Festivals in Tokyo
Sumida River Fireworks Festival: Usually held on the last Saturday of July. About 20,000 shells launched, attendance of about 1,000,000. Launched from two venues in Asakusa and Kuramae, the interplay with the Tokyo Skytree is a highlight. The most historic fireworks festival in Tokyo.
Edogawa-ku Fireworks Festival: Usually held on the first Saturday of August. About 14,000 shells launched, attendance of about 1,400,000. The fireworks can be enjoyed across a wide area from the Edogawa riverbank. Good transport access makes it popular with families.
Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival: Usually held in mid-August. About 10,000 shells launched. The collaboration of music and fireworks in the green surroundings of Jingu Stadium is popular. Easy to enjoy in the city center.
Major Fireworks Festivals in Kanagawa
Yokohama Port Opening Festival Fireworks: Usually held in early June (around June 2). Set against Yokohama Port, the contrast of fireworks launched from the sea and the night view is beautiful. The area around the Red Brick Warehouse is a classic viewing spot.
Shonan Hiratsuka Fireworks Festival: Usually held in late June. Fireworks launched along the Shonan coast can be photographed together with Enoshima and Mount Fuji. Because it is held early in the season, it is popular as the opening of fireworks season.
Major Fireworks Festivals in Saitama and Chiba
Kashiwa Matsuri Fireworks Festival (Chiba): Usually held in late August. Launched around Lake Tega, this is a community-rooted festival loved by Kashiwa citizens. A size that families can also enjoy.
Ichikawa Citizens' Festival Fireworks (Chiba): Usually held in August. Launched from the Edogawa riverbank, it can be enjoyed alongside Tokyo's Edogawa-ku Fireworks.
Major Fireworks Festivals in Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Gunma
Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition (Ibaraki): Usually held in November. One of Japan's Three Great Fireworks Festivals, gathering top-class hanabi-shi from across the country. Against the vast surface of Lake Kasumigaura, you can enjoy highly artistic fireworks.
Ashikaga Fireworks Festival (Tochigi): Usually held in early August. A traditional fireworks festival launched from the Watarase River banks. Held over two days, the appeal is being able to enjoy it on consecutive days.
Maebashi Fireworks Festival (Gunma): Usually held in August. A festival that colors the Gunma fireworks season. Community-rooted and loved by locals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Which fireworks festival is most recommended in Kanto?
A. The Edogawa-ku Fireworks Festival is the most recommended overall. It launches a large number of shells (about 14,000), the venue is wide and easy to find a spot, and transport access is good. Unlike the Sumida River Fireworks Festival, there's no need to wait for long hours, making it easy even for beginners. The atmosphere of central Tokyo is another attraction.
Q. How should I get to the fireworks festival on the day?
A. Using public transport (trains) is strongly recommended. On the day of the festival, roads around the venue are heavily congested and parking lots fill up. The rule of thumb is to choose a festival within walking distance of the nearest station. On the way home, the station gets crowded, so a useful trick is to walk one station further away before boarding. Choosing a venue accessible from stations other than the nearest one also makes the return trip easier.
Q. Are there cases where multiple fireworks festivals are held on the same day?
A. Yes, often. In particular, the first Saturday of August frequently sees the Edogawa-ku Fireworks Festival overlap with festivals in other prefectures, so heading to a festival outside Tokyo tends to be less crowded. Conversely, when the Sumida River Fireworks Festival overlaps with another festival, the crowds can be dispersed, making it easier to view. Some people check the schedule in advance and hop between multiple festivals.
Q. What are the rain-out criteria for fireworks festivals?
A. Rain-out criteria for fireworks festivals differ from festival to festival. The basic rule is light rain goes on, heavy rain is postponed, but in stormy weather the postponement or cancellation is decided the day before or the morning of the event. Always check the official website and social media for the latest information. When postponed, the festival is often rescheduled to the next day or the following weekend, but the response varies by year, so caution is needed.