For Tokyoites, the Sumida River (Sumidagawa) Fireworks Festival is the summer fireworks festival to see. And it’s as crazy as can be.
Believed to have first exploded onto the scene in 1733, this event has a long history of intense competition, with pyrotechnic companies still trying to outdo one another today.
To say it’s a popular event would be an understatement. Crowds number in the region of one million, with nearby hotels and riverboats driving a steep trade in prime viewing locations. If you don’t want to splash out on one of those and don’t have friends strategically positioned in apartments in Asakusa, you’ll want to keep reading.
Sumida River Fireworks Festival 2024: What you need to know
The Sumida River Fireworks (also known as the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival) always falls on the fourth Saturday of the seventh month — that is July 27 in 2024 (7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.).
Around 20,000 fireworks will launch from two spots on the river. The first is between Sakurabashi Bridge and Kototoi Bridge and will commence at 7 p.m. and the second is between Komagata Bridge and Umaya Bridge and will start a bit later at 7:30 p.m. Both shoot around 10,000 fireworks and finish at 8:30 p.m.
Road regulations and maps
A handy cheat sheet for the festival is the road restrictions map that is released usually the week of, showing pedestrian areas, toilets, and off-limits areas.
The main road beside the Sumida River in Asakusa closes to cars from around 6 p.m. on the day, but for several hours before, the tarmac is prime real estate as crowds assemble against the barriers, waiting to claim a square meter to sit on as soon as the last car is through. As seen on the official website’s map, the area within the red line is closed to traffic. The red zones along the riverbank are off-limits to spectators, but the green zones indicate parks and pedestrian walkways and are therefore fair game.
Where to watch the Sumida River Fireworks
So do you just rock up at Asakusa Station at 6.50 p.m. and stroll along the river until you find a nice little patch of grass or road? Not quite. People take the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival pretty seriously and will be in line from very early on. You can queue up — but note that actually reserving space in advance is prohibited.
Asakusa
If you want to brave the crowds and watch from near the center of Asakusa, you do have some options. The roads surrounding the river are closed to cars and visitors are corralled into them to watch the shows. We’d generally recommend avoiding these spots, as they get busy — plus you won’t have the best view with buildings and street signs in the way. Also, when the fireworks end, you’ll be stuck in the crowd trying to get home — never a fun time. You can see a bit of the fireworks from Sensōji Temple, but it’s not the best view.
Crowds start to form at around 3:30 p.m., so if you want the best possible close-up view, arrive around then. That’ll get you to the front of the viewing areas, with the clearest view. You’ll definitely need some sun protection and sports drinks if you go this route though, since you’re in for a three-hour wait at least.
Pro tip: We do have a hidden spot to recommend — head towards Tokyo Skytree in the distance. As you walk over, you’ll find quieter intersections where you can watch the northern display in relative quiet.
Local parks
The best viewpoints are the roads near Sumida Park and Asakusa Station, but since everyone has that idea, you might want to try somewhere with a little more breathing room.
We suggest trying Shiori Park, which will be a tad less busy, or the north part of Oyokogawa Water Park. Shiori Park has a slightly obstructed but decent view. The park closes near launch time but you can squeeze in if you head south slightly towards Asakusa. Aim to get to one of those two spots by early afternoon and chill till the show gets started.
Boat cruises
Apart from the parks, the best place to see the fireworks is on the river itself! Hop aboard a riverboat (yakatabune or “pleasure boat”), but be warned that prices are steep. This fireworks cruise includes food and all-you-can-drink for ¥66,000, while this riverboat provides the same but is a slightly fancier experience.
Paid seating at the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival
Every year, a limited amount of paid seating is reserved for sponsors and those willing to pay. Tickets are usually released in early May and are snatched up fast. For 2024, prices started from around ¥6,000, but unfortunatley, seats are currently all sold out.
Other spots
You can also watch the Sumida River Fireworks show from Tokyo Skytree itself, but you’ll need to reserve tickets in advance. Bridges around the area are also great spots, but be warned that you can’t stop and you need to line up to get across. If you don’t mind an obstructed view, then try Chuo-Ohashi Bridge.
Another lesser-known viewpoint is the observation deck at Tower Hall Funabori (reservations required). Some people also make reservations at restaurants in the area well ahead of time — apparently, a year is not considered excessive.
Accommodation near the Sumida River Fireworks
If you want to avoid the dreaded train home, then here’s a guide to booking accommodation in Asakusa. We recommend hotels that offer great views of Asakusa, such as Asakusa View Hotel, or those with rooftops, like ONE@Tokyo.
If you want to keep it cheap and just want a place to wait out the crowds, we also suggest Sakura Hostel Asakusa or Nui. Hostel and Bar Lounge (also has a rooftop, but with a slightly obstructed view).
Be warned that these tend to get booked up pretty far in advance.
How to get to the Sumida River Fireworks Festival and back
The closest stations to the launch points are Asakusa Station, Oshiage Station, Tokyo Skytree Station, Hikifune Station, Kuramae Station, Ryogoku Station, and Asakusabashi Station.
When the show’s over, don’t rush back to Asakusa Station — instead, take a casual stroll through the festive streets to a station further afield. Tawaramachi on the Ginza Line is a decent distance and won’t be as crowded, plus it allows for a nice walk through the shitamachi (old downtown) streets. Shin-Okachimachi is a little further, but has the Oedo and Tsukuba Express Lines, while the even-further Okachimachi has the JR Yamanote and Keihin–Tōhoku lines.
If you’re in no rush to get home, you could also consider going to karaoke. And while you’re floating around, consider some of these other fun things to do in Asakusa.
FAQs
Your questions about the Sumida River Fireworks answered.
What is there to eat and drink?
Let’s say you’ve opted to do this fireworks thing on the cheap. Where food and drink are concerned, the DIY rule of thumb persists: “Anything a stall/restaurant can do, you can do more inexpensively. And if not, 7-Eleven can.” Bring a cooler box stocked with iced water and beer, as well as some easy eats and wet wipes.
There won’t be any food stalls on the roads directly near the fireworks, but there should be some further afield. In the past, they have been at Sensōji Temple and around other train stations in the area.
What do you need to bring?
Apart from food and beverages, you may also need a mat to sit on. Oh, and a fan, sweat towel, and whatever else you need to beat the summer heat.
Will it be held even if it is raining?
If it is light rain, the tournament will go ahead. However, if there is a typhoon, it will be canceled. Unlike other fireworks festivals, there will be no replacement date. Given the last couple of years, we suggest you pack an umbrella and poncho — fingers crossed you won’t need them, but if you do, they’ll help you stick it out while others bail.
Should you wear a yukata?
When it comes to clothing, you might want to don a yukata for the occasion. A lot of locals dress in these light summer kimono, adding to the festive atmosphere on the night. No idea where to get one for next to nothing? Our yukata buying guide has your back.
Is the Sumida River Fireworks busy?
Expect to get close, real close, to half of Tokyo at the Sumida River Fireworks Festival. Also, expect to lose your friends if they wander off in search of a bathroom or extra food — be especially aware of areas being barricaded closed at a certain point. When you arrive, make a mental note of the porta-potties that are nearest to your seating area, and designate a meeting point for later should your group get split up. Phones are handy, but trying to figure out which of the zillions of people someone is standing next to is nearly impossible.
This post was first published in July 2017. Last updated in September 2024, by Shyam Bhardwa. While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.
