A Fireworks Enthusiast's Guide to the World of Japanese Fireworks: 9 Must-See Fireworks Festivals This Summer!

If you’re heading to Hokkaido, the Makomanai Fireworks Festival is the clear top pick. The main programs are presented by two elite HANABI artists: Nihonbashi Marutamaya from Tokyo and Beniya Aoki Fireworks from Nagano. Both are renowned for their mastery of music-synchronized fireworks (music starmines), and many fans attend the event specifically for their performances. Among the highlights is the upbeat, feel-good music starmine synced to lively, fast-paced music. It has become the signature program of Makomanai and never fails to excite the audience.

While Tohoku is famous for fireworks events like Ōmagari Fireworks, my personal recommendation is the Akagawa Fireworks Festival. What sets it apart is the sheer scale—using the full width of the riverbank to create a stunning spectacle. The show includes music starmines that span up to 700 meters wide, filling your entire field of vision with dazzling lights. With top-tier HANABI artists like Ina Kako Horiuchi Fireworks and Marugo participating, it’s truly a luxurious event. Incidentally, tickets for this event are so popular that the ticketing website often crashes right after sales begin.

The Kanto region has many amazing fireworks shows, but I strongly recommend the Minato Mirai Smart Festival. Its key feature is intensity. In just 25 minutes, an astonishing 20,000 fireworks are launched in rapid succession. For comparison, most fireworks festivals launch about 10,000 over an hour or more. This gives you an idea of how packed and luxurious this display is. The dense burst of fireworks may leave you feeling overwhelmed—but in the best way. You’ll be hooked! Also, keep an eye out for the latest “Fireworks Tower” presentation by Nihonbashi Marutamaya, known as the trailblazer of the fireworks world.

When it comes to Chubu—or even Japan—Nagaoka Festival Fireworks Display is in a league of its own. It's one of Japan’s three major fireworks festivals, and it ranks as my personal number one, hands down. The event honors the victims of the 1945 Nagaoka air raid, celebrates recovery from wartime devastation, and offers prayers for world peace. This noble tradition has been passed down for generations.
Over the course of two days, fireworks packed with these hopes and prayers light up the sky in spectacular fashion. Among the most iconic are the “Phoenix” fireworks, which stretch nearly 2 km wide, and the Shosanshaku-dama, a colossal 90 cm shell that blooms to a diameter of 650 meters. The lineup of HANABI artists is equally grand, including top-tier talents like Nomura Fireworks Factory and Marugo, along with Niigata-based teams. I highly recommend staying overnight to enjoy both days. Tickets and hotels are extremely competitive, but I assure you—it’s more than worth the effort.

For the Hokuriku region, it has to be the Mikuni Fireworks Festival. It boasts one of the largest launch counts in the region and features not only sky-based but also sea-based displays. What makes this event special is how it uses the sea as a canvas. The fireworks reflect off the water or cascade down toward it, creating a beautiful, oceanic spectacle unique to coastal shows.
A highlight of the festival is the underwater fireworks. Launched directly into the sea from barges, these shells explode to form elegant half-spheres that seem to bloom just above the surface. The event is led by Ina Kako Horiuchi Fireworks, nicknamed “The Precision Machine of the Fireworks World.” Their flawlessly timed, music-synced fireworks are a technical marvel.

In the Tokai region, I recommend the Kuwana Suigo Fireworks Festival.
It’s held over the wide estuary of the Ibi River and is known for launching a large number of Nishaku-dama (two-shaku shells). These rare fireworks have shells about 60 cm in diameter and bloom to around 500 meters across—an awe-inspiring sight. The highlight programs, including the famous Nishaku-dama, are produced by Ina Kako Horiuchi Fireworks, the renowned HANABI artist from Nagano. Their music-synced starmine displays, launched with perfect precision, are nothing short of divine. The event is so popular that fans from across the country gather just to witness Horiuchi’s fireworks. It’s a spectacular show not to be missed!

While many in Kansai might recommend the Tenjin Festival Fireworks, my personal pick is the Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival.
What sets this event apart is its unique launch method using barges on the river. Although the Sumida River Fireworks Festival in Tokyo uses a similar style, the scale and effects in Yodogawa outshine it, in my opinion. Whereas Sumidagawa uses up to 5-shaku shells, Yodogawa goes up to 10-shaku, and includes music-synced fireworks for an added layer of performance.
A signature feature is the wide-angle diagonal launches that make full use of the river’s width. Fireworks shoot not only overhead but diagonally across the sky, filling the entire field of vision from the river’s surface to the heavens. It’s an absolute spectacle and truly breathtaking.

From the Chugoku and Shikoku region, I highly recommend the Nishi-Awa National Fireworks Competition.
First held in 2019, the event resumed in 2023 after a pandemic-induced break, and its third edition was held in 2024. What makes it unique is that it’s one of the few competitive fireworks festivals in western Japan, bringing together top HANABI artists from across the country. Since the Edo period, Japan’s fireworks culture has mainly developed in the eastern regions, meaning most fireworks artists and festivals are concentrated there. That’s why this event, with its star-studded lineup of HANABI artists, has been steadily gaining fans in western Japan.
With music-synced and wide-angle displays, the festival offers a stunning variety of displays. Past champions include Nomura Fireworks Factory (1st edition) and Ina Kako Horiuchi Fireworks (2nd and 3rd editions). In the 2nd edition, local Tokushima team Kishi Fireworks Factory even took second place!

When it comes to fireworks in Kyushu, Yatsushiro National Fireworks Competition Festival is the standout. While the three major fireworks competitions are usually said to be Omagari, Tsuchiura, and Ise, I genuinely question and feel frustrated that Yatsushiro isn’t among them.
This event gathers elite HANABI artists from across Japan, each aiming for victory with their finest creations. Though it’s a rare competition in western Japan, it rivals even Omagari in quality and impact. The event includes competitive categories for starmine, 10-shaku shells, and 5-shaku shells, all showcasing the artists’ best work. On top of that, the non-competitive entertainment fireworks and music-synced displays are also top-tier. Just having a competition of this caliber in western Japan gives it immense value. For me, Yatsushiro is definitely a “hidden” member of Japan’s big three fireworks competitions.

The style and vibe of fireworks vary greatly depending on which HANABI artist is in charge. Some specialize in vivid colors, while others are known for their perfectly round and precisely executed fireworks. Before attending, check the festival’s official website, social media, or YouTube to find out which HANABI artists are participating and what kind of fireworks they’ll be presenting. This way, you won’t be disappointed by a display that doesn’t match your expectations. You’ll be able to choose a festival that aligns with your personal taste. By focusing on who is launching the fireworks rather than which festival to attend, you’ll deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of the fireworks experience.

Don’t just watch the fireworks—understand the story and purpose behind the event. It’s important to learn about the festival’s mission, theme, and the intentions of the organizers. I always make a point of thoroughly reading messages from the organizers, which are often printed in the event programs or on the festival’s official website. Knowing the history, the concept, and the passion behind the event enhances your understanding and makes the experience even more moving. Also, remember that fireworks festivals are made possible through the cooperation of local governments, sponsors, and community members. Show respect not only to the organizers but also to the sponsors and the host community.

While many fireworks festivals can be viewed for free, I recommend purchasing paid seating if you want a more memorable and comfortable experience. Not only does this support the event as a personal sponsor, but the biggest benefit is the comfort it provides. In the sweltering summer heat, arriving early to claim a spot can be exhausting. With paid seating, you have a reserved place, so you can avoid the fatigue and fully enjoy the fireworks in a relaxed setting. These seats often come with added perks like being positioned for an ideal view or being close to speakers for music-synchronized fireworks so you can enjoy the show in total comfort and style.

Beyond the dazzling visuals, don’t overlook the powerful appeal of fireworks’ sound. There are two main sounds to enjoy: the launch and the burst. When you hear the launch, you’re filled with anticipation about what kind of firework will bloom. Then, a few seconds later, the flower opens with a resonant boom—that combination is what makes the experience so dramatic. The deep rumble of large fireworks like the “shakudama” doesn’t just echo in your ears; it resonates through your entire body, creating an emotional impact. The rapid bursts of a starmine also deliver an exhilarating rhythm. In my opinion, the light of fireworks only truly shines because of the sound that accompanies it!