The Sumida River Fireworks Festival (Japanese: 隅田川花火大会／すみだがわはなびたいかい Sumida gawa Hanabi taikai) is held every year on the last Saturday of July along the Sumida River in Tokyo (near Asakusa and Mukōjima). It’s considered one of Tokyo’s iconic summer traditions. Along with the Edogawa Fireworks Festival in August, it ranks among Tokyo’s two major firework events.

From 2020 to 2022, the festival was canceled due to the COVID‑19 pandemic. However, after a four‑year hiatus starting in 2019, it returned in 2023 and will continue in 2025.

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48th Sumida River Fireworks Festival – 2025

Date

Saturday, July 26, 2025
19:00 – 20:30

Location

Venue 1

Downstream of Sakura Bridge to upstream of Kototoi Bridge. Fireworks begin around 19:00.

Nearest stations: Asakusa, Oshiage (Tokyo Skytree), Hikifune

Venue 2

Downstream of Komagata Bridge to upstream of Umayabashi Bridge. Fireworks begin around 19:30.

Nearest stations: Asakusa, Kuramae, Ryogoku, Asakusabashi

Toilet map around Sumida River Festival

Expected number of fireworks

Approx. 20,000 shots in total:

• Venue 1: ~9,350 fireworks
• Venue 2: ~10,650 fireworks

Other information

If it rains or winds heavily, the festival will be canceled. A go/no‑go decision is made at around 8:00 AM on July 26.
Attendance for this year is expected to reach 950,000 people.

All information sourced from the official Sumida River Fireworks Festival website: https://www.sumidagawa-hanabi.com/

How to Grab a Good Spot at the Sumida River Fireworks Festival? Here’s What Japanese Locals Recommend

The following content is based on blog posts written by Japanese locals. Let’s take a look at how they plan for and enjoy the Sumida River Fireworks Festival!

How Early Should You Arrive?

If you’re determined to secure a prime viewing spot, it’s best to arrive as early as 7 or 8 AM. Some hardcore fans even set up tents the night before!
By midday, most riverside areas are already packed.

For slightly more distant viewing spots, arriving around 3 PM might still give you a chance. Any later than that and you’ll likely end up walking along the crowd just catching glimpses—or worse, only hearing the fireworks without actually seeing them.
If you arrive after 6 PM, you might as well head home and try again next year!

Best Viewing Spots at the Sumida River Fireworks Festival

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival has two launch zones: Venue 1 and Venue 2. Fireworks go off simultaneously in both areas.

For a close-up view of Venue 1, look for spots along the river between Sakura-bashi and Kototoi-bashi bridges. Fireworks here are especially impressive and include competition entries judged by a panel—making it the festival’s main event.

However, be aware that the right bank near the launch site of Venue 1 is reserved as special sponsor seating for judges and staff, and is off-limits to the general public.

Popular free spots for Venue 1 include Sumida Park on the left bank and the area under the elevated Mukojima Line expressway. These places are always packed with people—if you want a good spot, you’ll need to line up early in the morning. By the time the park opens on the day of the event, queues have already formed.

Venue 2’s fireworks are launched from the downstream side of Komagata Bridge.
Popular viewing areas for this section include the riverside near Komagata Bridge, Kiyosumi Street, and in front of the traditional Komagata Dozeu restaurant.

Komagata Bridge is conveniently located near various Asakusa train stations and is right between both venues, so it’s possible to catch fireworks from both areas. Naturally, this makes it one of the most crowded places.
For safety reasons, Komagata Bridge will be closed off to pedestrian traffic during the fireworks show.

Kiyosumi Street is another favorite since it offers an unobstructed view of the Venue 2 fireworks.
In front of Komagata Dozeu, you can view the fireworks head-on—but once again, spots fill up fast, and crowds start to build around 3 PM. Traffic restrictions in the area also begin around that time.

Although there are many bridges along the Sumida River, some can partially block your view.
Generally speaking, the right bank offers better visibility than the left, with fewer obstructions caused by bridges.

How to Get to the Festival Site

If you’re taking the train and arriving early, any nearby station will do—Asakusa Station, Kuramae Station, etc.

However, Asakusa Station is closed for entry and exit during the hour before and after the event.
If you’re coming late, we recommend getting off at Ueno Station, Akihabara Station, or Oshiage Station and walking to the venue (within about 5 km).

If you’re driving, it’s best to park 2–3 km away and walk to the site. Closer parking spots will be nearly impossible to find, and you might not even be able to drive out afterward.
Your best bet is to park near Ueno or Akihabara and walk from there.

Planning to take a taxi home after the show? Be aware that it’s nearly impossible to book a ride near the venue right after the event. You might have better luck around 9 PM, with taxis becoming more available after 10 PM.

Bug Alert: Don’t Forget Insect Repellent

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is a summer favorite that draws huge crowds—but don’t forget to pack insect repellent if you’re watching from the riverside!

Being near the river and grassy areas means more than just mosquitoes—you might encounter no-see-ums, ants, fleas, and even mites. Choose a spray that covers a wide range of bugs.
Some people only worry about mosquitoes, but lesser-known insects like chiggers can cause serious symptoms like high fever. It’s definitely better to be safe than sorry.

If you’re wearing a yukata, sleeveless top, or shorts—anything that exposes a lot of skin—you’ll need to be extra cautious.

Also, if you plan to sit on the ground, don’t forget to bring a plastic sheet or picnic mat. Even if it rains in the morning, the fireworks will still go on if the weather clears by the evening.
The ground might still be wet, and a plastic sheet not only keeps you dry—it helps keep the bugs away too. Stay comfy and enjoy the show!