Sumida River Fireworks Festival隅田川花火大会

A fireworks festival on Tokyo's Sumida River whose roots lie in the Edo-period 'Ryōgoku Kawabiraki'. Fireworks are launched from two venues, and a fireworks competition is held at Venue 1.

Fireworks first raised in Edo to console the victims of famine and plague still light up summer nights in Tokyo's old downtown.

After the great famine of 1732 and an ensuing epidemic, the shogunate (under the 8th shogun Yoshimune) held a water-god festival (Suijin-sai) to console the dead and pray for the end of pestilence; in 1733, restaurants around Ryōgoku Bridge launched fireworks with official permission — this is said to be the origin of the 'Ryōgoku Kawabiraki'. The event continued at Ryōgoku until 1961, was then discontinued, and was revived in 1978 under the name 'Sumidagawa Hanabi Taikai'.

Source: 隅田川花火大会実行委員会(external site, opens in a new tab)

The Edo 'river-opening' fireworks are said to have originated in prayers for the dead and for the end of epidemics. Today the display is launched from two venues, with a fireworks competition at Venue 1.

Source: 隅田川花火大会実行委員会(external site, opens in a new tab) / 隅田川花火大会実行委員会(external site, opens in a new tab)

1. 01

   Fireworks competition (Venue 1)

   A fireworks competition held at Venue 1, where each entry is presented as a themed work.

• Sumida River Fireworks Festival【台東区】第49回 隅田川花火大会

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Nearest stations: Venue 1 – Asakusa, Oshiage, Tokyo Skytree, Hikifune; Venue 2 – Asakusa, Kuramae, Ryōgoku, Asakusabashi. If it cannot be held due to severe weather it is cancelled, with the decision made in principle at 8:00 a.m. on the day (2026 guidance).

Traffic controls, seating and fees change every year. Always check the official website for the latest information.

Official website — sumidagawa-hanabi.com(external site, opens in a new tab)

• Do not fly drones or other small unmanned aircraft
• Reserving spots is prohibited; items found will be removed
• No marking with tape, chalk or spray
• Do not climb or enter the safety barriers
• No smoking outside designated areas
• Take your rubbish home
• Do not enter private apartment buildings or property without permission
• Follow staff instructions and refrain from using selfie sticks

1. 1.隅田川花火大会 公式サイト(external site, opens in a new tab)隅田川花火大会実行委員会 · Accessed 2026-09-26
2. 2.隅田川花火大会について(external site, opens in a new tab)隅田川花火大会実行委員会 · Accessed 2026-09-26
3. 3.プログラム(external site, opens in a new tab)隅田川花火大会実行委員会 · Accessed 2026-09-26
4. 4.会場案内(external site, opens in a new tab)隅田川花火大会実行委員会 · Accessed 2026-09-26
5. 5.観覧時のお願い(external site, opens in a new tab)隅田川花火大会実行委員会 · Accessed 2026-09-26
6. 6.言問橋(external site, opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · Accessed 2026-09-26

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  Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival at blue hour, a burst beside the lit Tokyo Skytree and a bridge glowing on the Sumida River

  Photographer

  Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan

  Source

  Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival 2023 (53328807751).jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY 2.0(external site, opens in a new tab)

• 

  Spectators in silhouette watch an early shell rise against the sunset at the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival

  Photographer

  Fabian Reus from Tokyo, Japan

  Source

  Hanabi (14562233198).jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY-SA 2.0(external site, opens in a new tab)

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  A red chrysanthemum shell over Tokyo at the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival

  Photographer

  Noriko YAMAMOTO from Tokyo, JAPAN

  Source

  隅田川花火大会 (14756769872).jpg(external site, opens in a new tab)

  Licence

  CC BY 2.0(external site, opens in a new tab)