Update-date: Jul 04 2024
The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is a major summer event that lights up the night sky with colorful fireworks against the backdrop of the iconic Tokyo Skytree. This article will feature ways to enjoy this festival, as well as restaurants you should visit after watching the fireworks display.
Sumida River Fireworks Festival: An Event Where About 20,000 Fireworks are Launched
The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is a grand fireworks display held annually on the last Saturday of July at the Sumida River, which flows near Tokyo's Asakusa area. It takes place in the heart of the city, so there are naturally not a lot of places to sit down and visitors mainly walk around the launch sites while watching the fireworks.
The fireworks are launched from two locations, with the first being 15 minutes on foot from Asakusa Station on the Tobu, Tokyo Metro, and Toei Subway lines, and the second just a 5-minute walk away from Asakusa Station on the Tobu, Tokyo Metro, and Toei Subway lines or Kuramae Station on the Toei Subway lines.
People are drawn to this event not only to witness the beauty of the colorful fireworks, but also to take part and experience the lively and merry vibe of the festival. Each year, approximately one million spectators congregate at this festival, which is also broadcast live on TV and other media formats.
The fireworks are launched from two locations, with the first being 15 minutes on foot from Asakusa Station on the Tobu, Tokyo Metro, and Toei Subway lines, and the second just a 5-minute walk away from Asakusa Station on the Tobu, Tokyo Metro, and Toei Subway lines or Kuramae Station on the Toei Subway lines.
People are drawn to this event not only to witness the beauty of the colorful fireworks, but also to take part and experience the lively and merry vibe of the festival. Each year, approximately one million spectators congregate at this festival, which is also broadcast live on TV and other media formats.
The Sumida River Fireworks Festival originated from the Ryogoku River Opening ceremony that took place a little downstream from where the present-day event is held.
Considered the oldest fireworks display in Japan, this festival was first mounted in 1733 to commemorate the victims of the great famine and plague, and to pray for the end of the plague.
After several interruptions in the course of history, it was revived in 1978 as the Sumida River Fireworks Festival and continues to be held annually to this day.
The festival venues are located near Sensoji Temple, a popular tourist spot in Tokyo, and is easily accessible by train from Tokyo Skytree.
On the day of the festival, you may also want to explore the area before watching the fireworks at night.
Considered the oldest fireworks display in Japan, this festival was first mounted in 1733 to commemorate the victims of the great famine and plague, and to pray for the end of the plague.
After several interruptions in the course of history, it was revived in 1978 as the Sumida River Fireworks Festival and continues to be held annually to this day.
The festival venues are located near Sensoji Temple, a popular tourist spot in Tokyo, and is easily accessible by train from Tokyo Skytree.
On the day of the festival, you may also want to explore the area before watching the fireworks at night.
Recommended Viewing Spots
The fireworks are launched from two sites. The first site covers the area from Sakura Bridge downstream to Kototoi Bridge upstream, while the second site stretches from the downstream of Komagata Bridge to the upstream of Umaya Bridge.
The areas around the launch sites will be very crowded, so spectators are not allowed to sit or stand still in one place. So try to watch the fireworks while walking between the two sites.
While the fireworks from the above two venues can be seen from Azuma Bridge and Komagata Bridge across the Sumida River, these bridges will be restricted to one-way traffic on the day of the festival. The best thing to do is to check the information for the year's event and plot the walking route you will take.
There is another delightful way that you can see the fireworks: hop aboard a yakatabune (a Japanese-style boat with a roof and tatami mat flooring) plying the river.
Note that the yakatabune must be booked in advance with the boat operator.
The areas around the launch sites will be very crowded, so spectators are not allowed to sit or stand still in one place. So try to watch the fireworks while walking between the two sites.
While the fireworks from the above two venues can be seen from Azuma Bridge and Komagata Bridge across the Sumida River, these bridges will be restricted to one-way traffic on the day of the festival. The best thing to do is to check the information for the year's event and plot the walking route you will take.
There is another delightful way that you can see the fireworks: hop aboard a yakatabune (a Japanese-style boat with a roof and tatami mat flooring) plying the river.
Note that the yakatabune must be booked in advance with the boat operator.
The first site hosts a competition among pyrotechnic companies that have earned high accolades at prominent fireworks festivals in Japan.
The Sumida River Fireworks Festival enforces restrictions on safety distance, so the largest firework shell that can be used is the No. 5 shell, which is quite small. Hence, competing at the event requires advanced skills in creating fireworks.
It's guaranteed to be a great show, though, as the best pyrotechnicians in Japan will be launching their most innovative and colorful fireworks!
The Sumida River Fireworks Festival enforces restrictions on safety distance, so the largest firework shell that can be used is the No. 5 shell, which is quite small. Hence, competing at the event requires advanced skills in creating fireworks.
It's guaranteed to be a great show, though, as the best pyrotechnicians in Japan will be launching their most innovative and colorful fireworks!
Must-Visit Restaurants After the Fireworks Show
After watching the beautiful fireworks display, you have to cap the night by eating delicious food, right?
Well, here are some restaurants in the Ginza area that you can easily reach by train from Asakusa and Kuramae Stations, which are the closest stations to the festival venue!
It takes about 18 minutes from Asakusa Station to get to Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. If you are going to Ginza Station from Kuramae Station, take the Toei Asakusa Line to Nihonbashi Station and then transfer to the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, which will take about 16 minutes.
Well, here are some restaurants in the Ginza area that you can easily reach by train from Asakusa and Kuramae Stations, which are the closest stations to the festival venue!
It takes about 18 minutes from Asakusa Station to get to Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. If you are going to Ginza Station from Kuramae Station, take the Toei Asakusa Line to Nihonbashi Station and then transfer to the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, which will take about 16 minutes.
Ginza Shabutsu Yoshinosasa Ginza Branch (Ginza / Shabu-Shabu, Sukiyaki)
[Ginza Shabutsu Yoshinosasa Ginza Branch] is a restaurant specializing in shabu shabu (hotpot with thinly sliced meat and vegetables boiled in broth) and seiro mushi (steamed food cooked in a wooden steamer). Here, you can savor handpicked Japanese beef of the day and vegetables in season that are sourced from all over Japan. This restaurant is recommended for those who want to indulge while ensuring a healthy balance of meat and vegetables in their food.
Their specialty is the rare [Steamed Shabu], a dish of meat and vegetables cooked in a bamboo steamer. The [Seiro Mushi Izutsu] (6,500 JPY) lets you enjoy seasonal vegetables steamed together with wagyu (Japanese beef) and branded pork. Be sure to dip the ingredients in ponzu (Japanese sauce made from citrus juice and soy sauce) or sesame sauce for an extra kick of flavor.
The sesame sauce is a secret recipe of [Ginza Shabutsu], which has been operating for 46 years in Ginza, a neighborhood known for its abundance of famous restaurants. It is made with more than 20 spices to enhance the flavors of the vegetables and meats.
Their specialty is the rare [Steamed Shabu], a dish of meat and vegetables cooked in a bamboo steamer. The [Seiro Mushi Izutsu] (6,500 JPY) lets you enjoy seasonal vegetables steamed together with wagyu (Japanese beef) and branded pork. Be sure to dip the ingredients in ponzu (Japanese sauce made from citrus juice and soy sauce) or sesame sauce for an extra kick of flavor.
The sesame sauce is a secret recipe of [Ginza Shabutsu], which has been operating for 46 years in Ginza, a neighborhood known for its abundance of famous restaurants. It is made with more than 20 spices to enhance the flavors of the vegetables and meats.
The restaurant is located on the 12th floor of the Marronnier Gate Ginza, a commercial complex not far from Ginza Station on the subway and JR Yurakucho Station. If you dine here, you will get to enjoy a panoramic view of Ginza and Marunouchi from your seat.
Inside, the restaurant exudes a sophisticated, urban vibe. There are also small private rooms that can fit up to 6 people, perfect to dine in your own space.
Inside, the restaurant exudes a sophisticated, urban vibe. There are also small private rooms that can fit up to 6 people, perfect to dine in your own space.
Ginza Shabutsu Yoshinosasa Ginza Branch
Open: [Lunch] 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (Last seating 2:00 pm, L.O. 2:30 pm) [Dinner]Weekday 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (Last seating and L.O. 9:30 pm, Drink L.O. 10:00 pm) Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (Last seating and L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 6,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 4-minute walk from Exit C8 on Ginza Subway Station, 3-minute walk from Central Exit on JR Yurakucho Station
Address: 1-12F, Marronnier Gate, 2-2-14, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 6,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 4-minute walk from Exit C8 on Ginza Subway Station, 3-minute walk from Central Exit on JR Yurakucho Station
Address: 1-12F, Marronnier Gate, 2-2-14, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation
Sabatini di Firenze Tokyo Branch (Ginza / Italian Cuisine)
[Sabatini di Firenze Tokyo Branch] is an authentic Italian restaurant that is a branch of the classic Tuscan restaurant, [Sabatini di Firenze], in Florence, Italy. Here, you can enjoy the traditional flavors and local Italian dishes of the original 100-year-old restaurant with fresh ingredients sourced from all throughout Japan.
Guests also love their well-stocked cart that offers pasta prepared right before your eyes, and a selection of desserts. The [Spaghetti Sabatini] (3,500 JPY) is made with a rich tomato sauce mixed with Tuscan pancetta that smells of spices, flavorful freshly shaved parmesan cheese, and egg yolk, and then tossed with the pasta right in front of you!
Guests also love their well-stocked cart that offers pasta prepared right before your eyes, and a selection of desserts. The [Spaghetti Sabatini] (3,500 JPY) is made with a rich tomato sauce mixed with Tuscan pancetta that smells of spices, flavorful freshly shaved parmesan cheese, and egg yolk, and then tossed with the pasta right in front of you!
The interior of the restaurant has a luxurious ambience that will make you feel the 100-year tradition of its main restaurant in Florence. The Tokyo branch also has a rich history of about 40 years, having been opened in 1980. You will be treated with warm hospitality as you kick back and savor your meal, and the extensive wine cellar houses more than 500 types of wines to match the dishes they serve.
There are also two private rooms of different styles that you can choose according to the occasion and the number of people in your group.
There are also two private rooms of different styles that you can choose according to the occasion and the number of people in your group.
Sabatini di Firenze Tokyo Branch
Open: [Monday - Saturday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm) [Sunday] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm (L.O. 7:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 20,000 JPY / [Lunch] 9,000 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from subway Ginza Station, 3-minute walk from the central exit of Yurakucho Station on the JR/Yurakucho Line, 207m from Hibiya Station on each line
Address: 3F, Hulic Square Tokyo, 2-2-3, Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 20,000 JPY / [Lunch] 9,000 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from subway Ginza Station, 3-minute walk from the central exit of Yurakucho Station on the JR/Yurakucho Line, 207m from Hibiya Station on each line
Address: 3F, Hulic Square Tokyo, 2-2-3, Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation
The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is a major summer event in Tokyo! Let this article be your guide to enjoying the best of this traditional fireworks extravaganza. Many also participate in the festivities dressed in a yukata (light cotton kimono). Consider renting and wearing a yukata to enhance your enjoyment!
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
