Sumida River Fireworks

Tokyo · Fireworks festival

Tokyo's oldest fireworks display, traced to 1733, fired from two sites along the river near Asakusa.

Dates

31 July 2027

Provisional, not yet confirmed by the organizers

The last Saturday of July, which is the standing rule. The organisers confirm the date in spring.

Held on the last Saturday of July.

Dates checked against the official site on August 20, 2026

The Sumida display descends from a 1733 memorial for the dead of a famine and an epidemic, which makes it the ancestor of the summer hanabi calendar rather than simply an old example of it. Two launch sites operate at once, upstream and downstream of Asakusa, and the older of the two still runs a competition segment between the set pieces. What is worth knowing before you go is that the riverbank is not really watchable any more: the crowd runs to roughly a million people and the police close the closest streets to standing. Most residents watch from further out, where the skyline gives you the shells without the crush.

Getting a good spot

Asakusa and the riverside stations are the worst places to arrive. Viewing from further out, or from a paid vantage point booked well ahead, is what most people do. Trains are restricted in both directions afterwards.

Where it happens

Asakusa Main site Pass beneath Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), with its massive red lantern, and follow the centuries-old Nakamise shopping... Tokyo Skytree The world's tallest tower soars 634 meters above eastern Tokyo, with two observation decks offering views that stretc...

Access

Common questions

When is the Sumida River fireworks festival?

On the last Saturday of July. The organisers confirm the exact date in spring, so check before booking around it.

Where can you actually see it without the crush?

Not from the riverbank near Asakusa, where standing is restricted. Viewpoints further from the launch sites, or a booked vantage point, are what most Tokyo residents use.