The shape of it
About
Tokyo's most famous fireworks festival lights the sky over the Sumida River near Asakusa on a Saturday evening in late July, with tens of thousands of shells launched above the old Shitamachi.
Highlights
- One of Tokyo's oldest fireworks traditions, with roots in the Edo period.
- Two launch sites along the Sumida River near Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree.
- A classic summer hanabi night — many spectators come in yukata.
Plan it well
- Arrive hours early or pick a quieter vantage point; the riverbanks fill fast.
- Trains and stations near Asakusa are extremely crowded afterwards — plan your exit.
- Confirm the year's date and any viewing rules on the official Tokyo tourism site.
