Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2014
Summer is the season for fireworks in Japan, and we at Metropolis craned our collective necks to compile a list of the top three boom-fests across each prefecture in Kanto’s southern reaches (If you want to check another region, go to http://hanabi.walkerplus.com).
Just how big is each boom? The smallest, called 2.5-go-tama, are as little as 7cm across. They’ll fly about 90m into the air to illuminate a sphere with a diameter of up to 60m. The scale goes all the way up to a 40-go-tama firework, which will stretch over a meter across and weigh up to 420kg—including 80kg of explosive charge. Each of these brobdingnagian boomers will soar as high as 600m to cover 700m of sky—almost half a mile—in a brilliant flash.
Of course, the big problem with Kanto fireworks is the crowds. If you’re sick of jostling on the riverbanks, you can actually pay for priority seating at many of the events in advance. Tickets can be reserved over the phone, through Lawson Tickets or through application forms online. But watch out—they’re pricey (anywhere from ¥2,600-28,000 for family seating), and many offer area residents first dibs. Visit each event’s official website for details.
Tokyo
1 Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Competition
Boom factor: 12,000. One of Tokyo’s biggest events of the entire year. Aug 10, 6:50pm-8:10pm. Port of Tokyo area. Nearest stn: Kachidoki or Tsukishima. meturl.com/okyobay14
2 Sumida River Fireworks Festival
Boom factor: 25,000. Started in 1733, one of the most famous fireworks displays of the summer. Jul 26, 7:05pm. Along the Sumida river. Nearest stn: Asakusa. meturl.com/sumida14
3 Edogawa Fireworks Festival
Boom factor: 14,000. This fest begins with 1,000 fireworks launched all at once. Aug 2, 7:15pm. Edogawa-Kasenjiki area. Nearest stn: Shinozaki or Koiwa (JR). www.city.edogawa.tokyo.jp
Kanagawa
1 Kanagawa Shimbun Hanabi Taikai
Boom Factor: 15,000. Enjoy large-scale fireworks along with a beautiful night view of Yokohama. Aug 5, 7pm-8:30pm. Yokohama Minato Mirai area. Nearest stn: Sakuragicho or Minato Mirai. meturl.com/kanagawashimbun14
2 Atsugi Fireworks and Summer Festival
Boom Factor: 10,000. One of the most favored fests in Kanagawa, with a history of over 60 years. Aug 2, 7pm-8:30pm. Sagami-Gawa Kasenjiki area (Kanagawa). Nearest stn: Hon-Atsugi. meturl.com/atsugi14
3 Kurihama Perry Festival and Hanabi Taikai
Boom Factor: 3,500. Make a day of it, with bazaars and parades starting at 10am. Jul 12, 7:30pm-8:10pm. Port of Yokosuka (Kanagawa). Nearest stn: Kurihama. kurihama.info/events/perry2014
Saitama
1 Kounosu Hanabi Taikai
Boom Factor: Over 15,000. The broad river allows continuous volleys of massive fireworks in this late-season event. Oct 11, 6pm. Kounosu area. Nearest stn: Kounosu. kounosuhanabi.com
2 Todabashi Hanabi Taikai
Boom Factor: 11,000. With a history of over 50 years, the whole city will be filled with excitement. Aug 2, 7pm. Toda area. Nearest stn: Toda Kouen. todabashi-hanabi.jp
3 Asaka Matsuri and Fireworks Festival
Boom Factor: 7,500. In addition to the fireworks, there will be sporting events, live shows, street vendors and much more to enjoy with the entire family. Aug 2, 7:15pm. Asaka Camp Site. Nearest stn: Asaka. saikasai.com
Chiba
1 Ichikawa Hanabi Taikai
Boom Factor: 14,000. Celebrate the 80th anniversary of Ichikawa city. Aug 2, 7:15pm. Edogawa Kasenjiki. Nearest stn: Ichikawa. ichikawa-hanabi.jp
2 Urayasu Hanabi Taikai
Boom Factor: 6,500. Enjoy the beautiful collaboration of music and fireworks. Jul 26, 7:30pm. Urayasu area. Nearest stn: Shin-Urayasu. meturl.com/urayasu14
3 Teganuma Hanabi Taikai
Boom Factor: 13,500. Fireworks in the shape of popular anime characters. Aug 2, 7pm. Kashiwa area. Nearest stn: Kita-Kashiwa. meturl.com/tega14
Sources: Tokyo & Kanagawa rankings according to Hanabi Walker Plus; Saitama & Chiba rankings according to Itsumo Navi
