Summer Fireworks

Summer has started in Japan. The temperatures are slightly low due to the Tsuyu (Japanese rainy season). However as soon as the rainy season ends, it will get really hot.

One of the things that makes the heat bearable is the numerous Hanabi Taikai (Fireworks shows) that will take place all around the country. Japanese people enjoy Hanabi because they get to wear Yukata (Summer Kimono) and they get to forget their stressful lives for a few moments. Furthermore, as most fireworks shows are free, it can be a economical family event (involving kids from 1 to 91) or a date.

It is rather easy to attend a Hanabi; but you have to be prepared:

- Get a list of Hanabi events close to your home 

(lists will follow below)

- Prepare drinks, finger foods, camera, picnic mats, mosquitos repellents

As many fireworks are shown nears or at parks, it is important to pack picnic mats and mousquitos repellents

- Get to the location hours before the firework

Some locations are very popular like Sumidagawa, therefore if you go just minutes before the show, you may not find a perfect location. Some Japanese people go early in the day to find the right spot. 

- Find an alternative spot

Some fireworks are so big that they can be seen for miles. Therefore you do not necessarily need to be under them to enjoy. For example, the firework at Minato Mirai can be seen from parks in Negishi and Motomachi. Finding an alternative place will help you avoid the crowd. 

-If you go by train, think of buying your return ticket upon arrival 

To avoid the crowd at the station, it is recommended to wait hours after then end of the fireworks. You can stay at the park and enjoy the night. If not, think of getting your return ticket upon arrival at the station of the Firework. Or have your Suica or Pasmo card charged in advance.

FIREWORKS FESTIVAL 2012 in Tokyo and Kanagawa areas
 Tokyo Area:
 1- Sumidagawa River Fireworks Festival in Asakusa
 Date: July 28th, Saturday, 2012
 Time: 19:05 - 20:30 PM
Nearby Station: Asakusa Station on Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line, Tobu Skytree Line and Tsukuba Express Line

 2- Kurihama Fireworks Festival
 Date: July 14th, Saturday, 2012
 Time: 19:20 - 20:10 PM
Nearby Station: Kurihama Station on JR Keihin Kyuko (Keikyu) Lines

 3- Katsushika Fireworks Festival
 Date: July 24th, Tuesday, 2012
 Time 19:20 - 20:20 PM
 Nearby Station: Shibamata Station on Keisei Line, Kanamachi Station on JR Line

 4- Tachikawa Showa Kinen Park Fireworks Festival
Date: July 28th, Saturday, 2012
Time: 19:20 - 20:30 PM
Nearby Station: Nishi-Tachikawa or Tachikawa Station on JR Line

 5- Saitama City Oowada Fireworks Festival
 Date: July 30th, Saturday, 2012
 Time: 19:30 - 21:00 PM
Nearby Station: Omiya-koen Station on Tobu Line

 6- Koto (Koh-Toh) Fireworks Festival
 Date: August 1st, Wednesday, 2012
 Time: 19:40 - 20:30 PM
 Nearby Station: Minami-Sunamachi Station on Tokyo Metro Tozai Line

 7- Edogawa Fireworks Festival
 Date: August 4th, Saturday, 2012
 Time: 19:15 - 20:30 PM
Nearby Station: Koiwa Station on JR Line, Keisei-Edogawa Station on Keisei Line, Shinozaki Station on Toei Shinjuku Line

 8- Itabashi Fireworks Festival
 Date: August 4th, Saturday, 2012
 Time: 19:00 - 20:45 PM
Nearby Station: Nishidai Station on Toei Mita Line

 9- Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival
 Date: August 10th, Friday, 2012
 Time: 19:30 - 20:30 PM
 Nearby Station: Gaienmae Station on Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Shinanomachi Station on JR Line

 10- Saitama City Oomagi Fireworks Festival
 Date: August 11th, Saturday, 2012
 Time: 19:30 - 21:00 PM
Nearby Station: Higashi-Urawa Station on JR Line

 11- Tokyo-Wan Dai-Hanabi-Sai (Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival)
 Date: August 11th, Saturday, 2012
 Time: 19:00 - 20:20 PM
Nearby Station: JR Hamamatsucho Station on JR Line, Toyosu Station on Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, Kachidoki Station on Toei Oedo Line

12- Adachi Fireworks Festival
Date: October 13th, Saturday, 2012
Time: 18:00 - 18:50 PM
Nearby Station: Kitasenju Station on JR, Tokyo Metro and Tobu Lines

 13-Chofu Fireworks Festival
 Date: October 20th, Saturday, 2012 
 Time: ????
 Nearby Station: Chofu Station on Keio Line

 Kanagawa Area

 1- The 64th Kamakura Fireworks Festival
Date: July 25th, Wednesday 2012
Time: 19:00 - 20:00 PM
Nearby Station: Yuigahama station, Kamakura station JR Line, Watatsuka station Enoden line

 2- The 27th Kanagawa Shimbun Fireworks Show
Date: August 1st, Wednesday, 2012
Time: 19:00 - 20:00 PM
Nearby Station: Sakuragicho station on JR Line, Minato mirai station on Minato mirai line 

3- Lake Sagami Water Fireworks Festival
Date: August 1st, Wednesday, 2012
Time: ???
Nearby Station: Sagamiko Sta. on the JR Chuo-Honsen

 4- Hakone En Summer Night Festival Fireworks
Date: August 2nd, Thursday, 2012
Time: ???
Nearby Station: Take bus for Hakone En at Odawara station East Entrance (get off at final stop- takes 80 minutes)

 5- The 38th Southern Beach Fireworks
Date: August 4th, Saturday, 2012
Time: 19:30 - 20:00 PM
Nearby Station: Chigasaki station JR Tokaido line

6- Yokosuka Kaikoku Sai Fireworks
Date: August 4th, Saturday, 2012
Time: 19:15 - 19:45 PM
Nearby Station: Yokosuka Chuo station, Shioiri station Keikyu line

 7- The 66th Atsugi Ayu Fireworks Festival
Date: August 4th, Saturday, 2012
Time: 19:00 ~
Nearby Station: Honatsugi station, Odakyu line

 8- Fujisawa Enoshima Festival Fireworks
Date: October 13th, Saturday 2012
Time: 18:00 - 18:45 PM
Nearby Station: Katase Enoshima station Odakyu Enoshima line, Shonan Enoshima station Shonan monorail

 There you have it, a long list of fireworks. Pick the ones you would like to attend and enjoy.