Sumida River Fireworks Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include fireworks launched from 2 venues and the fireworks competition held at the First Venue.

Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the First Venue and 7:30 p.m. at the Second Venue, with both venues scheduled to finish by 8:30 p.m.

In addition to around 20,000 fireworks, visitors can enjoy special fireworks made by 10 companies.

Source: よくある問い合わせ｜隅田川花火大会 公式Webサイト

Summer fireworks steeped in Edo-era history light up the night sky over the Sumida River

What to expect

Visitors watch the fireworks while walking along bridges and nearby roads around the launch sites on the Sumida River.

Because the fireworks are launched from locations without riverbanks, there are no designated viewing areas except for the citizen-sponsored seating.

The fireworks begin at staggered times at the First and Second Venues, with warimono and pokamono fireworks bursting in the night sky.

How to take part

You can watch the fireworks, but this event does not invite members of the general public to take part in launching fireworks or in competitions.

To use a community sponsorship seat, you must apply in advance as a sponsor.

From areas outside the sponsor seating, you can watch while walking along the bridges and roads around the venue.

To use a community sponsorship seat, apply online on a first-come, first-served basis during the application period.

There is no on-the-day registration. You are considered selected once your application and payment are complete.

If watching from outside the sponsor seating, you do not need to apply for a reserved seat.

Location and access

Venue and address

The Sumida River.

The First Venue is from downstream of Sakura Bridge to upstream of Kototoi Bridge; the Second Venue is from downstream of Komagata Bridge to upstream of Umaya Bridge.

Train and bus

The nearest stations to the First Venue include Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, and Honjo-azumabashi; those to the Second Venue include Kuramae, Ryogoku, and Asakusabashi.

By car

Due to traffic restrictions, the Shuto Expressway No. 6 Mukojima Route will be closed to traffic from 6:30 p.m. until around 8:45 p.m.

Parking

There is no parking lot dedicated to the fireworks festival.

During the traffic restriction period, travel within the restricted area is not possible, so visitors are advised to use public transportation.

Event venue 東京都台東区、墨田区 隅田川

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

The 2026 event is scheduled for July 25 (Saturday), from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The fireworks begin at 7 p.m. at the First Venue and 7:30 p.m. at the Second Venue.

If the event cannot go ahead due to severe weather or other circumstances, it will be canceled, with no postponement date set.

Tips for your visit

It gets extremely crowded after the festival, so plan how to avoid the crowds, such as by adjusting your departure time.

It is not possible to reserve a spot, for safety reasons, and any items found will be removed.

Take your garbage home, and please refrain from flying drones or setting up stalls on roads around the venues.

Origins and History of Sumida River Fireworks Festival

The origin of the Ryogoku River Opening is said to date back to 1733, the 18th year of the Kyoho era in the Edo period, when restaurants obtained official permission to launch fireworks.

Fireworks held near Ryogoku Bridge continued until Showa 36, when worsening traffic conditions and other factors brought them to a halt.

In Showa 53, the event was revived under the name Sumida River Fireworks Festival, with the venues moved upstream.

Official information

The official Sumida River Fireworks Festival website provides information on the event, venues, traffic restrictions, citizen-sponsored seating, and whether the event will go ahead.

The 2026 event plan lists the date and time of the 49th festival as July 25 (Saturday).

Sumida River Fireworks Festival at a Glance

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is a Tokyo summer fireworks festival featuring around 20,000 fireworks launched from 2 venues along the Sumida River.

The 2026 event was listed as scheduled for July 25 (Saturday), from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

A fireworks competition at the First Venue was also listed as planned.

Visitors generally watch the fireworks while walking along bridges and nearby roads, so it is essential to prepare for crowds and traffic restrictions.