In this season, the Japanese become excited and just can’t wait for the summer festivals and fireworks shows. In Tokyo, both the downtown style, filled with the vitality of the Edokko, and the festivals in popular new spots are popular. We’ll introduce you to the summer festivals and fireworks show that we highly recommend.
The traditional style, brimming with a downtown atmosphere
Feel like an Edo lord on a Yakatabune! The Sumida River Fireworks Festival
The Sumida River Fireworks Festival held along the Sumida River around Asakusa is a major event, and it is even broadcast live on TV. Fireworks professionals from around the country will show off their skills and compete with each other again this year.
If you want to immerse yourself in a downtown atmosphere, we recommend you view the fireworks on a Yakatabune that float along the Sumida River! You’ll feel like an Edo lord as you savor the freshly made tempura while you elegantly watch the approximately 20,000 fireworks. The collaboration between the fireworks and Skytree that towers over you right nearby is popular.
[Event Information]
- Date: Saturday, July 28, 2012 7:05pm - 8:30pm
- Location: Along the Sumida River around Asakusa
- Inquiries: Sumida River Fireworks Festival Executive Committee 03-5246-1111
[For inquiries regarding Yakatabune]
Yakatabune Tokyo-to Kyodokumiai Tel. 03-5825-5526 (10am - 6pm) Closed Tue., Sun., Holidays
http://www.yakatabune-kumiai.jp/index.html
10 person minimum to reserve a private boat. 2 person minimum to reserve shared boats.
The Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, the quintessential Edokko festival
Of the three great Edo festivals, the Fukagawa Hachiman Festival is the only one that is held in the summer. With the calls of “wasshoi, wasshoi” echoing through the neighborhood, it is a festival that has a true downtown feel. This year will see the holding of the grand festival, held only once every three years and in the Mikoshi Rengo Togyo (joint procession of portable shrines), held on August 12, over 50 portable shrines will be carried along an approximately 8km course. Also known as the “Mizukake (water-tossing) Festival,” the bearers of the portable shrines are showered with large quantities of purifying water, leading up to the climax of the festival. Even the spectators are welcome to take part in the water-tossing so feel free to take part and join in the festivities!
[Event Information]
Dates: Shinko-sai procession: Saturday, August 11, 2012 8am - 4pm (planned) Mikoshi Rengo Togyo: Sunday, August 12, 2012 7:30am - 4pm Reisai annual festival: Wednesday, August 15 11am - 12:30pm. Dedication events such as taiko drum performances and tea ceremonies will be held in the evenings on all days.
Location: Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, 1-20-3 Tomioka, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Inquiries: Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine 03-3642-1315
Enjoy the seasonal traditions of summer in Japan at the latest spots
Bon-odori beginners welcome! The Roppongi Hills Bon Odori 2012
Since opening in 2003, Roppongi Hills, a huge commercial complex that houses a movie theater, museum, hotel and restaurants, has also been holding a Bon Odori event that has become a regular summer event. The combination of one of Tokyo’s most stylish spots and the traditional Bon Odori around a tower, is a fresh new experience!That being said, however, there are also sights you would expect to see in Roppongi Hills such as a large outdoor screen and stalls run by popular restaurants. The steps to the original “Roppongi Ondo” are easy to learn, making it a Bon Odori event that tourists can easily participate in.
[Event Information]
- Dates: Friday, August 24, 2012 to Sunday, August 26 (Planned) (Only stalls will be available on the pre-festival evening on the 24th)
- Times: Bon Odori: 5:30pm - 8pm Festival stalls: 3pm - 9pm (planned)
- Location: Roppongi Hills Arena, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Inquiries: Roppongi Hills Information Center 03-6406-6000
A luxurious collaboration between the night scenery of Odaiba, the Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Festival
At the well-known tourist spot of Odaiba, you can enjoy the Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Festival. Immerse yourself in entertainment of a grand scale created by the Rainbow Bridge and the night scenery of Tokyo Bay along with approximately 12,000 fireworks.
The highlight is the enormous “shakugosun dama” (approximately 45cm in diameter), a rare sight at fireworks festivals in Tokyo. The crowd cheers as the fireworks light up the sky at a height of 380 meters, higher than the Tokyo Tower. Be sure to watch for the unique fireworks shaped like hearts and famous characters.
[Event Information]
- Date: Saturday, August 14, 2012 7pm - 8pm
- Location: On the waters off Harumi Pier, Harumi Pier Park, around the Odaiba area
- Inquiries: Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Festival Executive Committee Office 03-3248-1561 (Recorded announcement)
There’s still more! Showcase TOKYO summer festivals and fireworks shows
Jingu-gaien Fireworks Festival
Although located in the center of the city, Jingu-gaien is filled with greenery, with various sports stadiums. The Jingu-gaien Fireworks Festival that is held here is unique for its collaboration with music artists. Almost like an outdoor festival, spectators can enjoy live music at each stadium as well as watch the approximately 10,000 fireworks light up the sky.
[Event Information]
- Date: Friday, August 10, 2012 7:30pm - 20:30pm
- Location: Meiji Jingu-gaien, Shinjuku-ku in Tokyo and more
- Inquiries: Nikkan Sports News, Advertising Office, Advertising Department, Jingu-gaien Fireworks Festival Office 03-3547-0900
Edogawa-ku Fireworks Festival
A large-scale fireworks held jointly by Edogawa-ku, situated on the eastern end of Tokyo, and Ichikawa-shi in Chiba. The festival consists of 8 themes, putting on displays of light with differing atmospheres. Of these, the highlight this year is the seventh theme of “Ginso” (visions of silver). With wishes for quick recovery from the earthquake and tsunami, silver-colored fireworks will illuminate the night sky.
[Event Information]
- Date: Saturday, August 4, 2012 7:15pm - 8:30pm
- Location: Along the Edogawa River, in front of Metropolitan Shinozaki Park, 1-25 Kamishinozaki, Edogawa-ku
- Inquiries: Edogawa-ku Fireworks Festival Executive Committee Office (within the Edogawa-ku Industrial Development Section) 03-5662-0523
Tsukuda Festival (Sumiyoshi Shrine Annual Festival)
The downtown atmosphere still remains strong in Tsukuda-jima. The pride of this town that faces the mouth of the Sumida River is the Tsukuda Festival. The Tsukuda Festival is a festival with a long history, known also for appearing in acts in classical Rakugo comical story telling. Because the festival was canceled last year due to effects from the earthquake and tsunami, this year marks the holding of the grand festival, held once every three years. The festival will finally feature the Miya mikoshi (the portable shrine for the main shrine), a hakkaku mikoshi (8-sided portable shrine) that was initially planned to be unveiled last year. This is sure to make the festival even more exciting than usual.
[Event Information]
- Dates: Friday, August 3, 2012 - Monday, August 6
- Location: Sumiyoshi Shrine, 1-1-4 Tsukuda, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Inquiries: Sumiyoshi Shrine 03-3531-3500
*All events may be canceled or rescheduled due to weather conditions or other circumstances. Information noted here is current as of the last day of June.