Hanabi Matsuri or Firework Festivals (花火の祭り) are held all over Japan during the summer season. The firework displays give color to the night sky and the festivals create a lively atmosphere which attract local and foreign enthusiasts.
Originally used to ward off evil spirits, fireworks (花火) have a long history in Japan and are an integral part of Japanese summers. Hundreds of firework shows are held every year across the country, mainly during the summer holidays in July and August, with some of them drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators. On the other hand, fireworks are not typically used to celebrate New Year.
Japanese firework shells range in size from smaller ones to the world record holding Yonshakudama shells which are 1.2 meter in diameter and weigh several hundred kilograms. The most common are starmines, which are spherical shells that have a variety of burst patterns. Other unique fireworks include Niagara sparklers that are set under bridges and resemble the famous waterfalls, and formed shells that burst into familiar shapes such as hearts, smiley faces and cartoon characters.
A secondary attraction of Japanese fireworks is the relaxed festival atmosphere that comes with them, people dressed in yukata and streets lined by food and game stalls. The firework shows themselves typically start some time after sunset and last one to two hours. Many of the longer shows are broken up into multiple shorter segments, interrupted by the announcement of titles and sponsors. They often end with a grand finale consisting of hundreds of shells launched simultaneously.
Below is a list of some of the most famous firework shows in Japan:
In case of stormy weather: Cancelled
Info: About 9,500 shots in the first venue & about 10, 500 shots in the second venue.
Admission: Free | Paid seats ¥6,000 – ¥7,500
Nearest Station: 15-minute walk from Asakusa Station (1st venue) | 5-minute walk from Kuramae Station (2nd venue)
Tel #: 03-5246-1111
Website: http://sumidagawa-hanabi.com/
Tokyo's Sumida River Fireworks, which are recognized as one of the oldest and most famous firework displays in Japan, are launched from barges anchored along the Sumida River between Ryogoku and Asakusa. The colorful explosions are best seen from the parks along the river... that is, if you can get a seat. Otherwise the fireworks are difficult to see except in flashes and glimpses between the tall buildings of the district or when walking across bridges over the river (it is not allowed to stop and view the show from bridges, though).
In case of stormy weather: undecided
Info: One of the 3 great fireworks competitions of Japan with approximately 15,000 fireworks to light up the night sky
Admission: Free | Balcony Reserved Seats ¥13,000 – ¥23,000
Nearest Station: 25 minute walk from Omagari Station
Tel #: 0187-62-1262
Website: http://www.oomagari-hanabi.com/
Often considered the top firework show in Japan, the Omagari National Fireworks Competition is a special event to which only the best pyrotechnic teams are invited. Thousands of shells are launched throughout the event as teams compete in both day and night categories. Paid seating is available, as is shinkansen access from both Tokyo and Akita; however there are no connections back to Tokyo after the end of the show and hotels are very difficult to book in Omagari and its surrounding cities. Tour packages may make seeing the show easier.
In case of stormy weather: October 2 (Sun) | October 8 (Sat) | October 9 (Sun) | October 10 (Mon)
Info: Around 20,000 fireworks with about 60 companies fireworks suppliers across the country compete for the skill, it's one of the best tournament in the country.Admission: Free | Paid Seat ¥10,500 – ¥21,000
Nearest Station: 30 minute walk or 20 minute shuttle bus from Tsuchiura Station
Tel #: 029-826-1111
Website: http://tsuchiura-hanabi.jp/
Held in October, the Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition is one of the top three firework shows in Japan. As it is also one of the last major shows of the year, the pyrotechnic companies use the competition as a venue to show off their latest and best designs to the brokers in attendance who are shopping around for next summer's shows.
In case of stormy weather: undecided
Info: About 20,000 fireworks to brighten up the night sky in commemoration of those who died in Nagaoka air raid in 1945.
Admission: Free | Paid Seats: ¥2,000 – ¥3,000
Nearest Station: 30-minute walk from Nagaoka Station
Tel #: 0258-39-2221
Website: http://nagaokamatsuri.com
The Nagaoka Fireworks are held over two nights in August along the banks of the Shinano River. Both nights feature almost two straight hours of fireworks including some of the largest shells in Japan such as 90 cm diameter Sanjakudama shells, and the festival's signature Phoenix Shell, which has come to be a symbol of recovery after the 2004 Niigata Earthquake. The show's finale covers nearly two kilometers of the riverbank and is the widest span of fireworks in the world.
In case of stormy weather: Cancelled
Info: Around 4,000 fireworks are set-off in the night sky to illuminate a large fleet of about 100 sheeps.
Admission: Free
Nearest Station: 5-minute walk from KeihanTenmabashi Station | 5-minute walk from Sakuranomiya Station
Tel #: 06-6353-0025
Website: www.tenjinmatsuri.com
Osaka's Tenjin Festival is ranked among Japan's Three Great Festivals, together with Kyoto's Gion and Tokyo's Kanda Festivals. 4000 fireworks are launched on the festival's second night (July 25) while a procession of flaming ships bearing portable shrines and people dressed in period costume travels along the Ogawa River. The fireworks, boat procession and illuminated bridges are best seen from the Minami Tenma and Kema Sakuranomiya Parks along the river.
In case of stormy weather: Cancelled
Info: Miyajima-on-the-sea-Fireworks Display presents seven spectacular scenes, complying with each year's theme.The fireworks display is set up to match the image for each scene, which is centered on the fascinating pyrotechnics on the water.
Admission: Free
Tel #: 0829-44-2011
Around 5000 fireworks are launched from boats just off the north shore of Miyajima Island every year in mid August. The fireworks are best viewed from around Itsukushima Shrine, and when combined with the shrine's giant torii gate make up one of Japan's most iconic firework scenes that regularly ranks as one of the top spots for photographers in Japan. The fireworks can also be seen from the town and shrine area of the island, as well as from boat tours that cruise the bay.
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