Japan’s Top 3 Firework Events in 2023
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CONTENTS
Possibly the best part of summer in Japan, don’t miss these Japanese summer festivals filled with fireworks!
Fireworks in Japan
In Japan, fireworks are referred to literally as fire flowers (hanabi/花火), and they're just as important for the summer in Japan as cherry blossoms are in the spring. Summer fireworks festivals have been a tradition since the middle of the Japanese Edo period (1603-1868), and the first major events were held around the 1730s. In the many years since, firework traditions have spread throughout Japan, with local artisans perfecting their skills and improving the magic of their colorful explosives to create the amazing visual displays we see today. Fireworks festivals anywhere in Japan aren't likely to disappoint, but the following three are some of the best.
▷ Before you head out, here are a few tips for a great Japanese festival experience!
The Nagaoka Hanabi, Niigata Prefecture
The Nagaoka Hanabi Festival originated in 1879, and thanks to its spectacular scale, in recent years it's frequently at the top of fireworks display rankings in Japan. Some of the individual explosions are truly enormous, spreading 650 meters in diameter in the sky above Nagaoka, in Niigata prefecture. Don't miss the works of firework art known as the "Niagara Falls" and the "Phoenix"!
Date/Time
August 2nd & 3rd, 2023
19:20 – 21:10
Official Website (jp)
The Omagari Hanabi – National Fireworks Competition, Akita Prefecture
Every year, to find Japan's most skilled firework artisan, fireworks specialists gather at the All-Japan National Fireworks Competition in Omagari, Akita to watch some of the country's most amazing displays. The festival, and the associated competition, has been going for over 100 years. These days it easily pulls Japan's most renowned fireworks creators, who spend the year ahead of time coming up with fresh new ideas to add new excitement to the fireworks world, and win themselves the coveted #1 ranking as well.
Date/Time
August 26th, 2023
17:10~ & 18:50~
Official Website (jp)
Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition, Ibaraki Prefecture
Believe it or not, Japan has multiple fireworks competitions! At this one in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture, the firework artisans are judged based on work in three categories:
1. The Starmine
Your basic spray of colorful sparks, starmine work is based on launching technique, timing between explosions, and general rhythm during the display.
2. The Shakudama
These traditional Japanese fireworks are measured in shaku (about 30 cm), and when they explode in the air they open to reveal beautiful layers of color, which are judged based on the arrangement and the clarity of color.
3. Innovation
This last category is all about originality and creativity, with judges focusing on variations in timing, form, and individual expression.
Date/Time
November 4th, 2023
17:30 – 20:00
Official Website (jp)
Other Top 3s in Japan
▷ The Three Great Festivals of Edo
▷ The Three Scenic Views of Japan
For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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