Event Guide · Tokyo & Around

Sumida River Fireworks Festival

JulyCentral Tokyo
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Overview

Overview

Tokyo's signature summer fireworks festival, which traces its origins to fireworks launched around Ryogoku Bridge in 1733, during the Edo period. About 20,000 fireworks in total are launched from two sites along the Sumida River near Asakusa and the Tokyo Skytree, and a fireworks competition is held at Site 1.

When
Usually the last Saturday of July (19:00–20:30)
Venue
Sumida River: Site 1 (downstream of Sakura Bridge to upstream of Kototoi Bridge) and Site 2 (downstream of Komagata Bridge to upstream of Umaya Bridge)
Highlights

Highlights

About 20,000 fireworks rising from the river with the Tokyo Skytree in the background. Fireworks makers compete at Site 1, and because the two sites start at different times, you can enjoy both in turn.

Times

Times

Site 1 launch19:00–20:30

2026 example (49th festival, July 25). Downstream of Sakura Bridge to upstream of Kototoi Bridge. About 9,350 shells (including 200 competition shells)

Site 2 launch19:30–20:30

2026 example. Downstream of Komagata Bridge to upstream of Umaya Bridge. About 10,650 shells

Go/no-go decision8:00 on the day

2026 example. Canceled in case of severe weather (no rain date)

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Saving spots is officially prohibited, and security guards patrol and remove items. Marking spots with tape, chalk, or spray is also prohibited
  • ✓There is little space to sit around the venue, and in many sections police and staff direct people to "watch while walking." Expect some places where you can't stop
  • ✓After the show, Asakusa Station (Ginza Line, Asakusa Line, Tobu Line) is extremely crowded from around 20:30 to 23:00, so use the official return-route map (English version available) to choose another station
  • ✓If you want to sit and relax, consider options early: official paid seats (citizen sponsor seats, first-come first-served online, non-refundable), yakatabune boat cruises, nearby hotels, or special openings at the Tokyo Skytree
  • ✓Prepare for heatstroke and sudden downpours (drinks and rain gear). Fireworks debris can fall, so glasses and a towel are handy
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line / Tobu Skytree Line)About 10 min on foot to Site 1Nearest station to both Site 1 and Site 2. Extremely crowded after the show
  • Tokyo Skytree Station / Oshiage Station / Hikifune StationListed on the official website as nearest stations for Site 1
  • Honjo-azumabashi Station (Toei Asakusa Line)Listed in the official FAQ as a nearest station for Site 1
  • Kuramae Station (Toei Oedo Line)About 5 min on foot to Site 2Nearest station to Site 2
  • Asakusabashi Station (JR Sobu Line)About 12 min on foot to Site 2One of the nearest stations to Site 2
  • Ryogoku StationListed on the official website as a nearest station for Site 2
From major stations
  • Shibuya Station / Ueno Station: Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to Asakusa Station (extra trains run on the day)
Extra buses & shuttles
None (no dedicated parking either; public transport is recommended. In 2026, the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line ran a total of 96 extra trains)
IC cards (Suica etc.)
IC transit cards such as Suica and PASMO can be used on all nearby rail lines. Top up in advance to avoid crowded ticket machines on the way back
Getting back
  • Asakusa Station (Ginza Line, Asakusa Line, Tobu Line) is extremely crowded from around 20:30 to 23:00 (official return-route map)
  • From the Sumida Ward side, Honjo-azumabashi, Tokyo Skytree, Oshiage, and Ryogoku stations are recommended; from the Taito Ward side, Iriya, Tsukuba Express Asakusa, Asakusabashi, and Ueno stations
  • Roads around the venue are closed to vehicles from 18:00 to around 21:30 (with reduced restrictions until around 22:00). Taxis and cars can't get close to the venue, so plan to walk to a station a little farther away
  • Police and staff enforce one-way foot traffic and access restrictions, so follow their instructions
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
From evening on the day until after the show (especially around Asakusa Station from 20:30 to 23:00)
Quieter times
Places away from the venue, and heading home at a staggered time rather than right after the show
Time needed
The fireworks last about 1 hour 30 minutes (19:00–20:30). Allow about 4–5 hours including travel and the crowds on the way back
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
Based on JMA normals, Tokyo in July has a low of around 23°C and a high of around 30°C. Hot and humid even at night
What to wear
Breathable clothing or a yukata. Comfortable shoes, since you'll be walking and standing for a long time. Drinks, a sweat towel, and rain gear (a raincoat is recommended, as umbrellas bother people around you)
Rain, snow & typhoons
Held in light rain. Canceled in severe weather such as a typhoon, with no rain date. The decision is generally made at 8:00 on the day
Where to check for cancellations
Official website (sumidagawa-hanabi.com) and the festival's official X account (@sumida_river_fw)
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Saving spots is prohibited (security guards patrol and remove items). Marking with duct tape, chalk, spray, etc. is prohibited
  • !Flying drones and other small unmanned aircraft is prohibited
  • !Selfie sticks are prohibited
  • !Climbing protective fences or entering fenced areas is prohibited
  • !Smoking, including while walking, is prohibited outside designated smoking areas
  • !Take your trash home
  • !Do not enter other people's apartment buildings or property without permission (it is a crime)
  • !Avoid shouting and other behavior that disturbs others. Follow the instructions of staff and police officers
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Toilet locations around the venue can be checked on the Google Map on the official website. They get very crowded, so go early
Lockers & luggage
Assume station coin lockers around Asakusa and Oshiage will fill up on the day; it's safest to leave suitcases at your hotel
Paying at food stalls
Food, drinks, and goods cannot be sold in parks or on public roads near the venue (official). At convenience stores and nearby shops, payment methods depend on each store
ATMs
Convenience store ATMs and others around Asakusa and Oshiage stations
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
No official information for wheelchair or stroller users. The area around the venue is extremely crowded and has one-way restrictions, so take care
Food

Food

Local favorites
Restaurants around Asakusa and Oshiage (no food stalls on the public roads at the venue)
Vegetarian & halal
There are no food stalls at the venue, so get food beforehand at nearby restaurants or convenience stores. Vegetarian and halal labels are rare, so it helps to check in advance
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Hotels around Asakusa, Oshiage, and Ryogoku fill up quickly on festival day. Rooms with a fireworks view and viewing packages sell out especially early, so book ahead

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Sumida River Fireworks FestivalPR

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Attractions

Attractions in Central Tokyo

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Advance, date-specific tickets required
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☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendlyAdvance, date-specific tickets required
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☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendlyAdvance, date-specific tickets required
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Zoo

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An urban aquarium on the 5th and 6th floors of Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi. It's entirely indoors and directly connected to the station, so you can drop by whatever the weather. It stays open into the evening, making it easy to pair with the Skytree observation decks or sightseeing in Asakusa.

☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
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Events

Events & festivals in Tokyo & Around

February–March

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Izu

Usually early February to early March (about one month). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late February

February–December

Atami Fireworks Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Izu

Usually held a dozen or more times a year in spring (April–May), summer (July–August), autumn (September–November), and winter (December–February). Each show runs around 20:20–20:40 (from 20:15 in July and August)

Next show: Oct 25, 2026 (Sun), followed by Nov 8, Nov 23, Dec 6, Dec 25, and Feb 21, 2027 (all 20:20–20:40)

March

Tokyo Marathon

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually a Sunday in early March

2027: Mar 7 (Sun)

April–May

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Fuji Five Lakes

Usually mid-April to late May (April 11 – May 24 in 2026; may vary with bloom conditions)

Photo coming soonApril

Bunkyo Azalea Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually around April 1–30 (the 55th festival was held April 1–30, 2026). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late April

May

Sanja Matsuri

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually mid-May, on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday around the third Saturday of May (May 15–17 in 2026, with the ceremony to install the deities in the mikoshi on the Thursday evening before)

August

Tokyo Koenji Awa-Odori

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually the last Saturday and Sunday of August (around 17:00–20:00)

November

Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Fuji Five Lakes

Usually early to late November (about 3–4 weeks). The leaves are usually at their best in early to mid-November

2026: Nov 7 (Sat) – Nov 29 (Sun)

November

Tori-no-Ichi

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually on the Days of the Rooster in November (2–3 days, 12 days apart). At Otori Shrine in Asakusa, it runs from midnight to midnight (0:00–24:00) on each Rooster Day

2026: two days, Ichi-no-Tori on Nov 7 (Sat) and Ni-no-Tori on Nov 19 (Thu) (no market on the days in between)

November–February

Marunouchi Illumination

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually mid-November to mid-February of the following year (about 3 months)

2026: Nov 12 (Thu) – Feb 14, 2027 (Sun)

December

Hagoita-ichi (Battledore Market)

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Every year December 17–19 (Senso-ji explicitly states "the three days from December 17 to 19")

2026: Dec 17 (Thu) – Dec 19 (Sat)

Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-09-30