Firework Festivals in Japan
Updated March 2018
Japan is a truly magnetic destination, hypnotising all who pass through. With sacred and unique traditions, quirky sub-cultures, explosions of colour, electric nightlife, and stunning natural backdrops, a visit here will seduce your senses and capture your heart.
The Japanese culture oozes a sophisticated level of composure, and extends a warm welcome to visitors and guests. When it comes to fun celebrations and appreciation, the Japanese certainly do this in style - and often with a traditional twist or flash of futurism. Festivities can involve exotic costumed parades, fierce marching musicians, dancers, acrobats, fire displays, fireworks, and a lot of light.
A true love for life, lights, colour, and neon can be witnessed at the famous Japanese Firework Festivals that take place throughout the summer. From water surface displays to heart shapes and hand-held fire breathers, this is a side of Japan’s summer nightlife you’ll deifintely want to be part of.
Firework festival events take place throughout the season, but below you can find our top 3 to get you started.
Toyoashi Firework Festival
Spanning an impressive 400 years, the Toyoashi Fireworks Festival is an exciting annual event that attracts spectators from all over. Explosive displays take place throughout the city, exhibiting the locals' love for handheld fireworks, skyrocketing fireworks, and traditional fire breathing devices. The Yoshida Castle Ruins and Toyoashi Park make a charming backdrop for this highly anticipated annual event.
Kagoshima Summer Night Fireworks
With perfectly timed music and the stunning Mount Sakurajima in the background, the Kagoshima Summer Night Firework Festival is a fantastic event that shouldn’t be missed. It is the largest in the Kyushu region and features around 14,000 fireworks including heart shapes and other innovative displays. Most spectators head towards Kagoshima Honko Port for ideal viewing, but this impressive display can be seen for miles.
Kumano Fireworks Festival
A must see destination for culture vultures and those wanting to visit Japanese shrines and pilgrimage routes, Kumano is a picturesque city brimming with attractive highlights. Once a year the city night transforms into a tremendous firework festival, resulting in one of Japans biggest and best. Visitors can find a spot on Shichiri Mihama Beach to observe the night illuminations, admire water surface displays and much more.
See the Japanese Fireworks with Princess Cruises on selected itineraries and sailings – Kumano, Kagoshima, Toyoashi.
In addition to Japan, there are plenty of other incredible displays all over the world. Have a look at the best places to see fireworks during a cruise.