Adachi Fireworks Festival

Flower fire over Tokyo

Venue: Arakawa Riverbed 

When: Saturday 30th May, 2026, 7.20pm to 8.20pm 

Japan’s spectacular Adachi Fireworks Festival is back for 2026 after being cancelled for the last two years due to stormy weather. The festival - one of the biggest and best of its kind in Japan - dates back to 1924 and takes place in Tokyo on the Arakawa Riverbed (between Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Bridge and Nishiarai Bridge). If you happen to be in Tokyo this weekend, the 48th Adachi Fireworks Festival is a fantastic way to get ready for summer.

Adachi Fireworks Festival 2026 Key Details

What To Expect from Adachi Fireworks Display

You can expect an incredible ‘high density’ display of more than 13,000 fireworks exploding in a dazzling display in the Tokyo sky above the Arakawa Riverbed. Look out for 300-metre-wide starmines and epic Double Niagara fireworks among those being used. Japan’s firework festivals are legendary and are often used to celebrate the summer months. Visitors to Tokyo will be hoping for good weather this weekend so that the 48th Adachi Fireworks Festival can go ahead. 

Who is the Adachi Fireworks Festival for?

Everyone is welcome to this beautiful showcase of Japanese fireworks, from international visitors to Tokyo, to Japanese residents, locals, families, couples, and everyone in between. There are a number of rules however about how to view the fireworks festival safely so please refer to the guidance on the official website here. 

How to get to Adachi Fireworks Festival

Organizers recommend using Nishiarai Station to access and view the fireworks festival. This is also known as the Arakawa Nishiarai Bridge Green Space and is located less than 25 minutes on foot from Umejima Station. They have stated that the road between Kita-Senju Station and the venue on the Senju side will be particularly congested so visitors are recommended to view from the Nishiarai side. Again, please refer to the official guidance on the Adachi website for instructions on the best and safest access points and viewing positions.

More about Adachi Fireworks Festival

The Adachi Fireworks Festival has been moved to May after the last two events were cancelled in 2024 and 2025. May has been chosen for its generally better weather and for the reduced risk of heatstroke compared to the summer months. Additionally,  there is a lower risk of cancellation due to sudden heavy rain, lightning, or typhoons, and May is preferable to autumn months such as October when northerly winds can cause fireworks embers and other debris to fall on the Senju area, causing a significant impact to residents.

Japan’s ‘Flower Fire’ - what is Hanabi? 

Hanabi in Japanese means ‘flower fire’ - a very apt and beautiful description for fireworks, which hints at their cultural significance in Japan. Hanabi first became popular during the Edo period as a symbol and celebration of spiritual beauty. They have also been historically used to ward off evil spirits, and in the modern era have become synonymous celebrations, from summer festivals and major sporting & music events, through to bringing in the New Year. However, their use was not always celebratory. One of their most famous historical uses was to honour the tragic deaths of those lost to famine and cholera in 1733. The use of fireworks here was not entirely somber though, as it was also intended as a celebration of life - a role fireworks have continued to perform throughout history. One of modern day Japan’s most famous fireworks festivals - the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival - actually dates back to this event. 

Following this event, and during the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate, when Japan was at peace, the craftsmanship that had gone into gunpowder was turned towards more peaceful purposes such as fireworks, which from this period on became  more closely linked with celebrating the beauty and wonder of life through ‘flower fire’ displays. Today, fireworks are so popular in Japan that rival pyrotechnic groups compete to out-do each other at festivals and competitions. This appreciation has also led to present day Japan’s great love of fireworks as spectacular displays capable of bringing the community - and at times, the whole nation -together. 

What types of fireworks can you get in Japan?

Japan has become famous for its expertise, craftsmanship, and spectacular firework displays. There are also several types of fireworks that have become closely linked to Japan. These include:

Yonshakadama shells

Huge world-record holding fireworks which measure 1.2 metres and weigh hundreds of kilograms. As you might expect, the resulting explosion is a sight to see! 

Niagara sprinklers

These fireworks take their name from the famous US waterfall and are essentially sparklers that cascade downwards from a bridge.

Starmines

These mines burst into beautiful patterns in the sky, from traditional stars to more contemporary shapes like smiley faces, hearts and even Anime characters.  

What are the best firework festivals in Japan?

Japan loves festivals and summer is synonymous with fireworks in Japan. Here is our list of recommendations for more Japanese firework festivals to enjoy once you've been to Adachi:     

Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival, Tokyo

Arguably the oldest and most historic display in Japan, Tokyo’s Sumida River Fireworks Festival dates back to the 1700s (as we mentioned above). The festival usually takes place on the last Saturday in July each year along the river. You can reach the area via Asakusa Station. The festival is also close to Tokyo’s famous Sensoji Temple. Speaking of shrines and temples, don’t miss the fireworks at Osaka Tenjin Festival either - another great destination. 

Lake Suwa Festival

There’s something beautiful about seeing fireworks reflecting in the still water of a beautiful lake or river - perhaps that is why there are so many festivals based at these locations? The Lake Suwa Festival in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture, launches the highest number of fireworks of any festival in Japan - 40,000 - and was originally founded in 1949 to lift the spirits of the Japanese people after the end of the Second World War. Today, it attracts half a million visitors each year. Another top recommendation for fireworks over water are those over Miyajima Island around Itsukushima Shrine - Japan’s famous floating torii gate and one of the most iconic spots in Japan. Fireworks take place at Miyajima in mid August each year. 

Biwako Fireworks Festival, Shiga Prefecture

Biwako is the largest lake in Japan and makes a beautiful backdrop to a huge fireworks display. Although Biwako is in Shiga Prefecture, it’s only half an hour from Kyoto, one of Japan’s most famous cities and a cultural hotspot. Kyoto is also easily accessible via other cities across Japan, such as Tokyo and Osaka.

Kumano Fireworks Festival

This unique ‘fireworks on the sea’ festival sees pyrotechnics launched from a boat creating a spectacular sight over the sea and coast at Shichirimihama, Kumano City, Mie Prefecture. It is another festival with a long and proud history dating back 300 years. 

Toyota Oiden Festival

As well as dazzling fireworks, Toyota Oiden Festival is known for its lavish costumes, dancing, and music. It is held on the last Sunday of July each year in Aichi Prefecture.

Omagari National Fireworks Competition

One of Japan’s biggest and most spectacular fireworks festivals, Omagari National Fireworks Competition sees up to 800,000 visitors flock to Omagari district in Daisen City, Akita Prefecture. Famous for its storytelling and visual themes, this high-level display is often said to crown the No.1 fireworks expert in Japan. The competition and festival is one of only two events in Japan to receive a Prime Minister’s Award.  

Akagawa Fireworks Festival 

Based at Akagawa riverside in Yamagata prefecture, this festival features more than 12,000 fireworks and attracts some of Japan’s most skilled pyrotechnic experts.

Nagaoka Fireworks Festival

This is one of three famous fireworks shows held in Niigata Prefecture and 2021 will see its 75th anniversary. Together the three shows are known as the Fireworks Festivals of Echigo. They are the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, Gion Kashiwazaki Festival, and Katakai Festival. The region loves fireworks so much, it even has winter displays too - the Echigo-Tsumari Snow Fireworks and the Tokamachi Snow Festival. Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is arguably the biggest of all and takes place over two nights in August. It features the largest fireworks shells in Japan - Sanjakudama shells - and has a signature firework called the Phoenix Shell - a symbol of rebirth and recovery introduced after the 2004 Niigata earthquake. 

Kachimai Fireworks Festival

The word ‘kachimai’ roughly translates to ‘every win’ and everyone does win when it comes to this amazing fireworks festival along the Tokachi river in Hokkaido - Japan’s northernmost island. The festival takes place near Furano and the Tokachi mountains. Furano is famous for its skiing in winter and also for its beautiful lavender in the summer.   

Atami Maritime Fireworks

This festival in Atami Bay was also founded to raise morale after a typhoon and fire in 1949/1950, and has been going strong ever since. Atami Bay is surrounded by mountains and it is said that the fireworks echo twice as loud because of the natural insulation.

FAQs about Adachi Fireworks Festival

Q. When is the Adachi Fireworks Festival 2026?

Adachi Fireworks Festival takes place on Saturday 30 May, 2026, from 7.20pm to 8.20pm in Tokyo.

Q. Where is the Adachi Fireworks Festival held? 

Over the Arakawa Riverbed (between Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Bridge and Nishiarai Bridge)

Q. Will the Adachi Fireworks Festival be cancelled again?

We hope not! The forecast for 2026 is good and the weather looks favourable but it’s always a possibility it could be cancelled so please check on the day.  

Q. How many fireworks will be used at the Adachi Fireworks Festival?

Organizers state that there will be approximately 13,000 fireworks launched in one hour.