On Saturday 25 July 2026, roughly 20,000 shells will rise above the Sumida River from 19:00. This is the festival that Edo started in 1733, and Tokyo has never stopped.
Citizen-sponsor seat, Site 1 (1 person)
¥8,000
On sale
The Sumida River Fireworks Festival traces its origin to 1733, when the eighth shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune ordered a fireworks display at Ryogoku to pray for relief from a famine and epidemic that had swept Edo. The event was called 'Kawabiraki', the opening of the river for summer. Two pyrotechnic families, Tamaya and Kagiya, competed for the crowd's favour from opposite banks. People packed the bridges, the boats, and every inch of the embankment. The shouts of 'Tamaya!' and 'Kagiya!' became part of the city's vocabulary, and they still are.
The festival was suspended during the Second World War and again in 1961 due to traffic and crowd management concerns. It was revived in 1978 under its current name, and the Sumida Ward and Taito Ward have co-hosted it ever since. The two-site format, with Site 1 dedicated to a judged competition among pyrotechnic makers and Site 2 running the main display, was introduced to preserve the competitive spirit of the original Kawabiraki while giving the full riverbank crowd a continuous show. The 2026 edition marks the continuation of that structure, with ten makers entering the Site 1 competition and the combined shell count reaching approximately 20,000.
Where exactly is Site 1, and how do I find my seat?
Site 1 is on the Sumida Ward side of the river, roughly between Komagata Bridge and Umaya Bridge. When you book a citizen-sponsor seat, your confirmation email includes a seat number and a map. Staff with signs will be at the main entry points from around 17:30. Bring your QR code on your phone or a printed copy.
What time should I arrive if I have a reserved seat?
Gates for the reserved section open before 19:00. We suggest arriving by 18:00 to clear the crowd on the surrounding streets comfortably. The competition at Site 1 starts at 19:00 on the dot, so being in your seat by 18:45 gives you time to settle.
Can I watch from the free public areas instead?
Yes. The Sumida Park embankment and the Taito Ward riverbank are free and open to everyone. They fill up fast. If you want a decent standing spot, 17:00 to 17:30 arrival is realistic. The main display at Site 2 is visible from most of the public areas.
What happens if it rains?
The festival goes ahead in light rain. In the event of a typhoon or severe weather warning, the festival committee will announce a postponement or cancellation. Check the official festival website and this page on the day. Ticket refund policy in case of cancellation is set by the organiser and will be communicated through Ticketpay.
“We got reserved seats at Site 1 last year and it made a real difference. You could actually see the competition shells without craning over someone's head.
Rachel T. · Visitor from Melbourne, attended 2024
“The moment the crowd started shouting 'Tamaya!' I understood why this festival has lasted 300 years. It is not just fireworks. It is a ritual.
Marco F. · Visitor from Rome, attended 2023
Site 1 is on the Sumida Ward side of the river, roughly between Komagata Bridge and Umaya Bridge. When you book a citizen-sponsor seat, your confirmation email includes a seat number and a map. Staff with signs will be at the main entry points from around 17:30. Bring your QR code on your phone or a printed copy.
Gates for the reserved section open before 19:00. We suggest arriving by 18:00 to clear the crowd on the surrounding streets comfortably. The competition at Site 1 starts at 19:00 on the dot, so being in your seat by 18:45 gives you time to settle.
Yes. The Sumida Park embankment and the Taito Ward riverbank are free and open to everyone. They fill up fast. If you want a decent standing spot, 17:00 to 17:30 arrival is realistic. The main display at Site 2 is visible from most of the public areas.