Stunning shot of the Koto Fireworks Festival (Photo: Manish Prabhune / CC BY 2.0)
Thu
Aug 1st
Stunning shot of the Koto Fireworks Festival (Photo: Manish Prabhune / CC BY 2.0)

Koto Fireworks Festival 2019

Koto Ward explodes with summer colour

Venue: Arakawa Sunamachi Riverside Park When: Thursday - Aug 1st 2019

Koto City will once again be staging its annual fireworks festival along the banks of the famous Arakawa River.

Established in the early 1980s, the Koto Fireworks Festival now sees over 4,000 fireworks launched into the evening sky. An estimated 320,000 people are expected to attend the summer show making it one of Tokyo's more manageable summer fireworks events.

Launched from barges on the river, the fireworks are often no more than 150 metres from spectators. So not only do the fireworks create an impressive display of sight and sound but for those close enough, an experience of touch - the thunderous reverberations of the fireworks are easily felt by many on the shore.

While the festival is held during rain, typhoon-like conditions will see the fireworks show postponed. Please check the official website for details.

Getting there

Take the Tozai Subway Line to Minami-Sunamachi Station. The festival is a 15-minute walk.

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Elizabeth S 4 years ago
On some Saturday nights in the summer, I counted half a dozen fireworks festivals visible from the banks of the Edo River at Matsudo City and from the Musashino train line. Summer in Tokyo is thunderous explosions and sparkling fountains of light.

I recommend getting very close, because like you say, you feel as much as see the spectacle.
Sleiman Azizi Author 4 years ago
Some say summer is the worst time to visit Japan but I learnt to love Japanese summer.
Elena Lisina 4 years ago
I wonder if we can find a place to watch when it's so crowdy. ? I mean not this one, but Sumidagawa hanabi. Embankments on both sides are rather narrow... But maybe it's fine and I worry in vein.
Elena Lisina 4 years ago
Yes, thank you! :D
Michael Groen 4 years ago
I love summer season in Japan and all its firework events. In the Netherlands we usually only have fireworks on new years eve in the cold... Much nicer to sit down with a group of friends and enjoying these with a nice drink.
Sleiman Azizi Author 4 years ago
I know what you mean. In Australia, you’ll only see fireworks at sporting events and for New Years.

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