Written by Patrick Balfe
Ōarai in Ibaraki Prefecture celebrates its annual fireworks festival.
Book a ticket to the fireworks with Klook that includes transport from Tokyo and a prime viewing spot.
What to expect
The Ōarai Marine Fireworks Festival is one of the newer fireworks on the annual calendar, but it doesn’t mess around when it comes to scale and extravagance. This year, in particular, in celebration of Ōarai’s founding, the event will see over 18,000 fireworks launched over the ocean. The pyrotechnics this year are overseen by Nomura Fireworks, a sought-after pyrotechnics company that’s won the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award 21 times.
On top of that, this year will also see an aerial appearance from Blue Impulse, the aerobatic demonstration team of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. If last year’s event is anything to go by, there will also be around 45 food trucks so that you don’t go hungry.
Entry
Although there will be free vantage points around the area, paid entry is required into the festival for prime positions. The cheapest spots are for people with leisure mats in areas A, B, and C. There are also areas for those with tables, folding chairs, RVs, and — if you’re feeling ultra ritzy — group VIP packages.
Entry-only tickets are available from the official website through various third parties. Alternatively, you book a ticket that includes bus transport from Tokyo and a spot in the leisure mat area.
How to get there
Ōarai Marine Fireworks Festival is held at Ōarai Sun Beach in Higashi Ibaraki, Ibaraki Prefecture. To get there from Tokyo, you can get the JR Jōban Line from Tokyo Station directly to Mito Station. From there, catch the Kashima Rinkai Railway Oarai Line to Ōarai Station. It’s a 20-minute walk to the beach from there. Alternatively, there are highway buses that run indirectly from Tokyo Station.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
