You Haven't Missed Them Yet — 20 Kanto Fireworks Festivals Still Happening This Summer

One of the things I look forward to most every summer in Japan is the fireworks season.

There is something special about watching thousands of fireworks light up the night sky. Every year, when I see the first big fireworks display, I find myself thinking,

"Summer has finally arrived in Japan."

As a foreigner living in Japan, I have noticed that Japanese fireworks festivals are very different from those in many other countries.

They are not just fireworks shows.

People wear yukata, enjoy festival food, meet friends and family, and spend the evening together under the summer sky. For many people in Japan, fireworks festivals are an important part of summer memories.

By mid-summer, many people assume that the fireworks season is already over.

However, that is not actually true.

There are still many amazing fireworks festivals taking place across the Kanto region from late July all the way into November.

So I decided to put together a list of the Top 20 Kanto fireworks festivals that you can still visit in 2026.

If you are living in Japan or visiting Japan this year, hopefully this guide will help you plan your summer and autumn adventures.

#20 Koshigaya Fireworks Festival (Saitama)

This local favorite launches around 5,000 fireworks each year.

Usually held in late July, it offers a more relaxed atmosphere compared to Tokyo's huge fireworks festivals. Most viewing areas are free, although some paid seating may be available.

#19 Takasaki Grand Fireworks Festival (Gunma)

One of Gunma's biggest summer events, featuring around 15,000 fireworks.

The festival is scheduled for August 22, and the venue is conveniently accessible from the station. Paid seating is popular and often sells out quickly.

#18 Oyama Fireworks Festival (Tochigi)

Approximately 20,000 fireworks illuminate the autumn sky.

Usually held in early October, it is one of the few major fireworks festivals that takes place after the traditional summer season has ended.

#17 Chikusei Fireworks Festival (Ibaraki)

Famous for launching exactly 20,001 fireworks.

Held in mid-October, this event has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially among photographers and fireworks enthusiasts.

#16 Utsunomiya Fireworks Festival (Tochigi)

A beloved local event that has been enjoyed by generations of residents.

The festival is usually held in early August and attracts large crowds every year.

#15 Ashikaga Fireworks Festival (Tochigi)

With a history of more than 100 years, this is one of Japan's traditional fireworks festivals.

The historic atmosphere gives it a charm that feels different from newer events.

#14 Kisarazu Port Festival Fireworks (Chiba)

Beautiful fireworks explode over Tokyo Bay, creating stunning reflections on the water.

The sea breeze and waterfront location make this one of Chiba's most enjoyable summer events.

#13 Oarai Marine Fireworks Festival (Ibaraki)

Watching fireworks over the ocean creates a completely different experience compared to river festivals.

This late September event feels like a beautiful farewell to summer.

#12 Kumagaya Fireworks Festival (Saitama)

Around 10,000 fireworks are launched during this popular Saitama event.

Paid seating is available and often recommended for a more comfortable experience.

#11 Tamagawa Fireworks Festival (Tokyo / Kanagawa)

Held along the Tama River, this festival offers cooler weather thanks to its autumn schedule.

Many people enjoy the relaxed atmosphere compared to the crowded summer events.

#10 Minato Mirai Smart Festival (Kanagawa)

One of the biggest attractions of this festival is enjoying both the Yokohama skyline and the fireworks at the same time.

Paid seats are extremely popular and should be booked early.

#9 Konosu Fireworks Festival (Saitama)

Known for its giant fireworks shells and impressive scale.

Because it is held in autumn, the cooler temperatures make it easier to enjoy for long periods.

#8 Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival (Tokyo)

This event combines fireworks with live music performances, making it one of Tokyo's most unique summer festivals.

The stadium seating areas are mostly reserved paid seats.

#7 Tone River Grand Fireworks Festival (Ibaraki)

Featuring around 30,000 fireworks, this is one of the largest fireworks festivals in the entire Kanto region.

Many premium seats sell out very quickly each year.

#6 Makuhari Beach Fireworks Festa (Chiba)

Watching fireworks from the beach somehow makes the experience feel even more like summer.

This is one of my personal favorites in Chiba.

#5 Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition (Ibaraki)

Unlike ordinary fireworks festivals, this event is a national competition where Japan's best fireworks artists compete against each other.

The quality of the displays is truly incredible.

#4 Itabashi Fireworks Festival (Tokyo)

One of Tokyo's most famous fireworks events.

Paid seating has become increasingly common in recent years, and advance reservations are highly recommended.

#3 Katsushika Fireworks Festival (Tokyo)

One of the best things about this festival is how close the audience sits to the launch area.

The explosions feel incredibly powerful compared to many other festivals.

#2 Edogawa Fireworks Festival (Tokyo / Chiba)

Featuring around 14,000 fireworks and attracting nearly 900,000 visitors, this is one of the biggest events in Japan.

If you want a reserved seat, booking early is essential.

#1 Sumida River Fireworks Festival (Tokyo)

Around 20,000 fireworks and nearly one million spectators gather for Japan's most iconic fireworks festival.

It is often broadcast on national television and is probably the first fireworks festival many people think of when they hear the words "Japanese summer."

Looking at this list, I was surprised to realize that there are still so many fireworks festivals left to enjoy between late July and November.

If you thought the fireworks season in Japan was already over, there is still plenty of time.

One thing that has changed in recent years, however, is how these events are organized.

In the past, many people simply arrived early and found a spot to sit.

Today, reserved seating and paid viewing areas have become increasingly common, especially for the larger festivals.

In some cases, tickets sell out surprisingly quickly.

To be honest, I understand why so many people choose paid seating now.

Not having to spend hours saving a place in the heat can make the whole experience much more enjoyable.

Another thing that always worries me is the weather.

You make plans, book tickets, coordinate schedules with friends or family, and then suddenly the forecast shows rain.

Japan's summers have become increasingly unpredictable in recent years, with sudden thunderstorms and heavy rain becoming more common.

Whenever a fireworks festival approaches, I find myself checking the weather forecast over and over again.

I look outside in the morning.

I check the radar app.

I refresh the forecast several times a day.

Normally I do not pay much attention to the weather.

But fireworks day feels different.

"Please let it stay dry for just one evening."

I imagine many people in Japan are thinking exactly the same thing.

People travel long distances to attend these events.

Families and friends arrange their schedules weeks in advance.

That is probably why the joy feels even greater when the festival goes ahead as planned.

Since I live in Narita, Chiba, I will probably spend this summer visiting one of the smaller local fireworks festivals near my home rather than chasing the biggest events around the Kanto region.

One of the things I find special about life in Japan is that fireworks are not limited to famous festivals in Tokyo or Yokohama.

During summer, many towns and neighborhoods hold their own small fireworks displays.

Being able to stop by a local fireworks festival almost as casually as going shopping at the supermarket feels like a uniquely Japanese part of everyday life.

Sometimes the smaller fireworks festivals, shared with local families and neighbors, become the memories we treasure the most.

How about you?

Which fireworks festival would you most like to visit this year?

I hope the summer of 2026 brings many beautiful fireworks displays across Japan.

And most of all, I hope the skies stay clear on fireworks day. 🎆☀️

Location: 일본 지바현 나리타시

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