Latest news with #SumidaRiverFireworksFestival
The Mainichi
19 hours ago
- Climate
- The Mainichi
Downtown Tokyo's famed fireworks festival enthralls 930,000 visitors
TOKYO -- Some 20,000 rounds of fireworks illuminated the evening skies during the Sumida River Fireworks Festival on July 26, enchanting 930,000 spectators gathered around venues in the capital's Taito and Sumida wards. As the event, its 48th edition, opened around 7 p.m., families with children and others clad in "yukata" summer kimono admired the large fireworks in vivid colors with smartphones in their hands to take snapshots and videos. Central Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward observed a high of 35.5 degrees Celsius on the day. Many people started to visit the fireworks venues during the day to secure viewing spots, using parasols and folding fans to beat the heat. (Japanese original by Maki Kihara, Tokyo City News Department)
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
This is how to make the most of your trip to Tokyo - no matter the weather
HOW: You have two choices during summer in Tokyo: escape the heat, or embrace it. For the former, check out some of the city's many excellent museums and galleries. TeamLab Planets is an uber-popular, interactive display of colour and light; the Studio Ghibli museum in Mitaka is an enjoyable ode to a legend; and the Nezu Museum and Mori Art Museum are also excellent places to enjoy culture and air-conditioning. If you're planning to embrace the season, you could visit the beach in Tokyo Bay, have a barbecue with locals by the waterfront at Shioiri Park, or go to a baseball game, preferably at the historic Meiji Jingu Stadium (stay nearby at the Keio Plaza Hotel). Of the major summer festivals, don't miss Tanabata, the star festival, in early July; the four-day Mitama Matsuri, best known for more than 30,000 lanterns on display in mid-July; and the Sumida River Fireworks Festival, in late July. At all of them you will find locals out celebrating, often while eating seasonal treats such as kakigori (Japanese shaved ice). Summer is also the season for eating unagi, or eel - try it at a specialist such as Unagi Uomasa in Katsushika. And don't miss "hiyashi chuka", or cold, seasonal ramen, served at Chiisha in Ikejiri-Ohashi.
Japan Today
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
10 must-see Japanese summer festivals
By Ai Faithy Perez Summer in Japan brings a number of creative things to help you beat the heat—watermelon and salt sodas, kakigori (shaved ice), bon dance and yukata, to name a few. But there's only one place you can enjoy them altogether in a true Japanese experience: the late summer night matsuri (festivals). You'll see a great deal of summer festivals happening across Japan as early as in July through to the end of the season: they'll be at your local shrine or outside your station in the form of bon odori (bon dance) or yatai (food stalls); in the streets as parades or dashi festival cars; or as hanabi taikai — fireworks near rivers and lakes. You may also see communities getting creative by spicing up their summer matsuri with karaoke competitions or drink-up events — all in the name of celebrating the season and getting that sweat out of your system. While there are countless unique festivals across the country, here's a round-up of our top 10 to see in Tokyo and other parts of Japan. Summer in Japan brings a number of creative things to help you beat the heat—watermelon and salt sodas, kakigori (shaved ice), bon dance and yukata, to name a few. But there's only one place you can enjoy them altogether in a true Japanese experience: the late summer night matsuri (festivals). You'll see a great deal of summer festivals happening across Japan as early as in July through to the end of the season: they'll be at your local shrine or outside your station in the form of bon odori (bon dance) or yatai (food stalls); in the streets as parades or dashi festival cars; or as hanabi taikai — fireworks near rivers and lakes. You may also see communities getting creative by spicing up their summer matsuri with karaoke competitions or drink-up events—all in the name of celebrating the season and getting that sweat out of your system! While there are countless unique festivals across the country, here's a round-up of our top 10 to see in Tokyo and other parts of Japan. 1. Sumida River Fireworks Festival (Tokyo) 2. Shinjuku Eisa Matsuri (Tokyo) 3. Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri (Tokyo) 4. Azabujuban Noryo Matsuri (Tokyo) 5. Koenji Awaodori (Tokyo) 6. Soma Nomaoi (Fukushima) 7. Aomori Nebuta Matsuri (Aomori) 8. Sendai Tanabata Matsuri (Miyagi) 9. Kyoto Gozan Okuribi (Kyoto) 10. Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri (Osaka) 1. Sumida River Fireworks Festival (Tokyo) Image: iStock: Torsakarin Rumored to have had its first launch in 1733, the Sumida River Fireworks is one of the most popular (and crowded) summer festivals in Tokyo. With nearly four centuries of history, it survived the Meiji Restoration and continued strong until it fizzled out during the World Wars and a few decades following. The festival was reinstated in 1977, and this year it celebrates its 48th anniversary in its current form. Visitors will see a spectacular view of 20,000 fireworks, but be prepared—last year, nearly one million people went to this event, so expect large crowds, too! When: Sat, July 26, 2025, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (In the case of bad weather, the event will be cancelled.) Sat, July 26, 2025, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (In the case of bad weather, the event will be cancelled.) Where: Sumida River, Sumida-ku, Tokyo Sumida River, Sumida-ku, Tokyo Access: Nearest station for first venue: Asakusa Station, Oshiage Station, Tokyo Skytree Station or Hikifune Station; Nearest station for second venue: Asakusa Station, Kuramae Station, Ryogoku Station or Asakusabashi Station 2. Shinjuku Eisa Matsuri (Tokyo) Born on the island of chinsuko (traditional biscuit) and brown sugar, Okinawa's dance and music culture has always been different from that of the mainland, and Eisa Matsuri is no exception. The traditional costumes, drumming and dancing will be at the height of the 'new and improved' — after all, the majority of dancers will be in their 20s and 30s. The origin of the name is unknown, but there is a theory that says the name was derived from an exclamation used in the original song of Eisa — 'ensaa.' This year will be its 22nd event and the organizers are expecting around one million people to join the fun, so again, be prepared for the crowd! When: Sat, July 26, 2025, 12 p.m.-7 p.m. Sat, July 26, 2025, 12 p.m.-7 p.m. Where: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Access: Shinjuku Station, West Exit 3. Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri (Tokyo) Image: Pixta: masy The Fukugawa Hachiman Matsuri is one of the three great Shinto festivals in Tokyo, along with the Kanda Matsuri and the Sanno Matsuri. It's held at the vintage Tomioka Hachiman Shinto shrine in Tokyo's Koto district. Dated back to 1642, the festival sees the shrine's mikoshi (portable shrines) being carried down the local streets while the onlookers splash purifying water at the mikoshi-bearers. Be warned, though: you will get wet at this event, so go well prepared. When: Sat, Aug. 16-Sun, Aug. 17, 2025, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat, Aug. 16-Sun, Aug. 17, 2025, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Where: Tomioka Hachiman, 1-20-3 Tomioka, Koto-ku, Tokyo Tomioka Hachiman, 1-20-3 Tomioka, Koto-ku, Tokyo Access: Monzen-nakacho Station, Exit 1 Click here to read more. External Link © Savvy Tokyo
Metropolis Japan
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metropolis Japan
Asakusa R&B Night: Sumida Fireworks Edition
R&B is experiencing a global revival, and Asakusa is joining the groove. The day after the iconic Sumida River Fireworks Festival, Asakusa R&B Night returns for a special summer edition–a relaxed yet high-energy celebration of rhythm, soul and community. Now in its second year, this grassroots event was created to connect Tokyo locals with international visitors through the universal language of R&B. Hosted at Public House Zen, a stylish venue just steps from Asakusa Station, the night features top local DJs, an inclusive crowd and a setting that blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern nightlife. With an open-air terrace, warm vibes and a cross-cultural atmosphere, Asakusa R&B Night offers a unique way to wind down after the fireworks and dive into Tokyo's music scene. Whether you're a regular or a first-timer, all are welcome to join the groove.
Time Out
13-05-2025
- Time Out
These are the world's top emerging destinations for summer travel in 2025
Most people would make a beeline for the beach for their summer holiday, right? Wrong. According to the latest flight data from Mastercard, Japan's sprawling capital Tokyo has emerged as this summer's trending destination. Using data from the Official Airline Guide, Mastercard analysed the change in flight bookings between 2019 and 2024 to identify the most popular spots for a summer getaway. According to the credit card company, Tokyo has seen the biggest increase in tourist demand, overtaking Bangkok as the most visited city in 2024. It's thought its popularity is down to the depreciation of the yen, making Japan much cheaper to visit than it has been historically. No wonder, then, that the Japanese city of Osaka came second on the list. Typically, Tokyo is a popular spring destination, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom and temperatures are mild, but the Japanese capital is pretty darn lovely in the summer months, too. On the last Saturday of July, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival will fill city skies with a spectacular display. Too hot? Head to Oshima, the largest of Tokyo's islands for some swimming and snorkelling – the water here is beautifully clear. After Osaka, in third place was Paris – clearly travellers are leaning towards city breaks this year. These are the top emerging summer destinations for summer travel Tokyo Osaka Paris Shanghai Palma De Majorca Seoul Beijing Madrid Rio de Janeiro Singapore Nha Trang Reykjavik Fukuoka Hurghada Sharm El-Sheikh Check out the full report here.
