Japan's biggest fireworks festivals 2026: top 10 ranked by shells

A fireworks festival (花火大会, hanabi taikai) is one of the great pleasures of a Japanese summer, and the season now stretches well into autumn. Hundreds are held every year, but only a handful fire 20,000 shells or more in a single show. Below are the biggest of 2026, ranked by the number of shells (打ち上げ数, uchiage-sū) each organizer announced for this year’s event.

The 2026 ranking at a glance

Rank	Festival	Prefecture	Date (2026)	Shells
1	Tone River Fireworks	Ibaraki	Sep 19	approx. 30,000
2	Makuhari Beach Fireworks Festa	Chiba	Aug 1	approx. 24,000
3=	Makomanai Fireworks	Hokkaido	Jul 11	approx. 22,000
3=	Joso Kinugawa Fireworks	Ibaraki	Sep 12	approx. 22,000
3=	Huis Ten Bosch Kyushu Grand Fireworks	Nagasaki	Nov 14	22,000 (planned)
6	Matsue Suigosai Lake Fireworks	Shimane	Aug 1–2	21,000 (two nights)
7	Chikusei Fireworks	Ibaraki	Oct 17	20,026 (planned)
8=	Sumida River Fireworks	Tokyo	Jul 25	approx. 20,000
8=	Anjin Festival Sea Fireworks	Shizuoka	Aug 10	approx. 20,000
8=	Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition	Ibaraki	Nov 7	approx. 20,000 (planned)

How to read this. Shell counts are the figures organizers announced for 2026, and most are rounded (“approx.”). Counting methods differ: a starmine barrage may be counted shell by shell, and a giant shell counts as one. So a bigger number means a longer, denser show, not necessarily a better one. “Planned” marks festivals still to come as of late September 2026. Around a dozen other festivals also announced about 20,000 shells, so 8th place is really a big tie; we picked three that are easy for visitors to reach.

1. Tone River Fireworks — approx. 30,000 shells

利根川大花火大会 · Sakai, Ibaraki · September 19, 2026

The largest shell count of the year, and one of the biggest single-night shows in the country. The 39th edition fired about 30,000 shells over two hours from the Tone River bank at Sakai Riverside Park. Four award-winning makers (Nomura, Yamazaki, Beniya Aoki and Marugo) compete here, and 2026 added two guest makers. Expect starmines synced to music and 1-shaku (30 cm) shells fired close to the seating. Despite on-and-off rain, local paper Ibaraki Shimbun reported about 300,000 visitors in 2026.

Getting there: Sakai has no train station, so most people come by car (reserved parking) or bus. Traffic is heavy, so plan to arrive early and leave late.

2. Makuhari Beach Fireworks Festa — approx. 24,000 shells

幕張ビーチ花火フェスタ · Chiba City, Chiba · August 1, 2026

Chiba City celebrated its 900th anniversary with the biggest show in this festival’s history: about 24,000 shells over Tokyo Bay, including roughly 100 large shells, about 900 shells fired over the water and custom shapes made for Chiba’s anniversary, all set to music. It’s the closest giant show to central Tokyo.

Getting there: Kaihin-Makuhari Station (JR Keiyō Line), then a 15–20 minute walk to Makuhari Seaside Park.

3=. Makomanai Fireworks — approx. 22,000 shells

真駒内花火大会 · Sapporo, Hokkaido · July 11, 2026

Hokkaido’s biggest show works more like a concert than a riverside festival. It’s held inside Makomanai Sekisui Heim Stadium, every seat is ticketed (about 18,000 seats), and the fireworks come with music, lights and flame effects. Two award-winning makers, Nihonbashi Marutamaya and Beniya Aoki, produce the one-hour program. Sapporo’s cool July nights are a nice break from Honshu’s heat.

Getting there: Makomanai Station on the Namboku subway line, then a walk or bus to the stadium. Onsen tie-in: Jōzankei Onsen is in the same ward, about an hour south by bus.

3=. Joso Kinugawa Fireworks — approx. 22,000 shells

常総きぬ川花火大会 · Jōsō, Ibaraki · September 12, 2026

The 59th edition set a record for this festival with about 22,000 shells. It opens with a 200-meter “Niagara” waterfall of sparks and includes artistic shells by members of Japan’s fireworks-art association, plus a music starmine that has won the Prime Minister’s Award. Fireworks fans come for the quality, not just the size.

Getting there: About a 15-minute walk from Mitsukaidō Station on the Kantō Railway Jōsō Line.

3=. Huis Ten Bosch Kyushu Grand Fireworks — 22,000 shells (planned)

ハウステンボス 九州一 大花火まつり · Sasebo, Nagasaki · November 14, 2026

Kyushu’s biggest show takes place at Huis Ten Bosch, a Dutch-style theme park, which stays open until midnight that day. Look for 1-shaku shells that open about 300 meters wide and a finale that fills the sky. Paid seats range from lawn areas to the Domtoren tower and a cruise ship.

Getting there: JR Huis Ten Bosch Station, next to the park.

6. Matsue Suigosai Lake Fireworks — 21,000 shells over two nights

松江水郷祭 湖上花火大会 · Matsue, Shimane · August 1–2, 2026

The only two-night show on this list: 10,000 shells on Saturday and 11,000 on Sunday, fired from four barges on Lake Shinji, with a drone show before the fireworks each night. Wide starmines and big chrysanthemums reflect on the dark lake, which gives this festival its special look.

Getting there: JR Matsue Station, a short walk to the lakeshore. Onsen tie-in: Matsue Shinjiko Onsen sits right on the lake, and some rooms face the show.

7. Chikusei Fireworks — 20,026 shells (planned)

ちくせい花火大会 · Chikusei, Ibaraki · October 17, 2026

The shell count is a nod to the year: exactly 20,026. Three Ibaraki makers (Yamazaki, Mori and Nomura) share a 75-minute autumn program at the Michi-no-Eki Grand Terrace Chikusei roadside station.

Getting there: Shuttle bus (about 10 minutes) from Shimodate Station.

8=. Sumida River Fireworks — approx. 20,000 shells

隅田川花火大会 · Tokyo · July 25, 2026

The descendant of the 1733 river fireworks in Edo, and Tokyo’s most famous show. About 20,000 shells were split between two launch sites (roughly 9,350 at the first and 10,650 at the second), with Tokyo Skytree in the background. It usually draws close to a million people, so the streets of Asakusa are packed. Locals shout “Tamaya!” as the shells burst, a cheer for a famous Edo-era fireworks maker.

Getting there: Asakusa Station (about 15 minutes to Venue 1) or Kuramae Station (about 5 minutes to Venue 2).

8=. Anjin Festival Sea Fireworks — approx. 20,000 shells

按針祭 海の花火大会 · Itō, Shizuoka · August 10, 2026

For its 80th edition, the Anjin Festival doubled its usual 10,000 or so shells to about 20,000, the biggest show in Itō’s history. They were fired from five points at sea over one hour, with underwater starmines, a 500-meter aerial “Niagara” and large shells up to 15-gō.

Getting there: About 10 minutes on foot from JR Itō Station to the beach. Onsen tie-in: This is a festival in an onsen town. Itō Onsen has hundreds of hot springs, so you can watch from the beach and soak afterward.

8=. Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition — approx. 20,000 shells (planned)

土浦全国花火競技大会 · Tsuchiura, Ibaraki · November 7, 2026

One of Japan’s “big three” fireworks competitions, now in its 95th edition. Makers from across the country compete in three categories: starmine, 10-gō shells and creative fireworks. It’s especially famous for its starmines. It’s an autumn event and an easy trip from Tokyo. The previous edition drew about 650,000 people.

Getting there: About 30 minutes on foot (or by paid shuttle bus) from the west exit of JR Tsuchiura Station.

Also at around 20,000 shells in 2026

Konosu (Saitama, Oct 10), Katsushika (Tokyo, Jul 28), Ashikaga (Tochigi, Aug 1), Shinmei in Ichikawamisato (Yamanashi, Aug 7), Nasuno (Tochigi, Sep 19), Oarai (Ibaraki, Sep 26), Oyama (Tochigi, Oct 3), rockin’star Carnival in Hitachinaka (Ibaraki, Oct 3), Kawakita (Ishikawa, Aug 1) and the Nishi-Awa fireworks competition (Tokushima, Nov 14).

Famous names that aren’t ranked

• Nagaoka Festival Fireworks (Niigata, Aug 2–3). Famous for giant shells and the “Phoenix” starmine. The organizers don’t publish an exact shell count; guides estimate about 20,000 over the two nights.
• Omagari Fireworks (Akita, Aug 29). Japan’s most prestigious competition announced about 18,000 shells. It’s about quality, not quantity.
• Lake Suwa Fireworks (Nagano, Aug 15). Often called one of the biggest shows in Japan, but the organizers don’t publish a shell count, so we left it out.

Cancelled in 2026: the Chikugo River Fireworks in Kurume (Fukuoka, 12,000 shells planned) and the Yatsushiro National Fireworks Competition (Kumamoto) were both cancelled because of the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake. The Nagoya Port Festival fireworks (Aichi) were also cancelled.

How to enjoy a fireworks festival

• Buy a seat or go early. Paid seats (有料観覧席, yūryō kanranseki) go on sale months ahead and sell out fast. For free areas, locals claim spots from the afternoon with a picnic mat (レジャーシート).
• Eat at the yatai. Food stalls (屋台) sell yakisoba, takoyaki, kakigōri and cold drinks. Bring cash and buy before the show starts.
• Wear a yukata. Visitors are welcome to wear one (浴衣), and rental shops can dress you. Wrap left over right, and bring comfortable shoes.
• Plan your exit. Stations can take an hour or more to enter after the finale. Leave a little early, wait it out, or walk to the next station.
• Take your trash home. There are few bins, so bring a bag.
• Check the rain policy. Strong wind or storms can postpone or cancel a show, and paid seats aren’t always refunded. Check the official site or social media on the day.

Fireworks and onsen

A fireworks night pairs perfectly with a hot spring: watch the show, then soak before bed. On this list, Itō and Matsue let you do both in one evening, and Jōzankei is an easy add-on to Makomanai. Many smaller onsen towns by the sea or on lakes, such as Atami and Yugawara, hold their own summer displays too. Book early, because rooms with a view sell out first.

Planning a shrine visit on the same trip? Read how to visit a Japanese shrine.

Sources: Walkerplus Hanabi 2026 shell-count ranking · Tone River Fireworks (official) · Ibaraki Shimbun report on the 2026 Tone River show · Makuhari Beach Fireworks Festa (official) · Makomanai Fireworks (official) · Joso Kinugawa Fireworks (official) · Huis Ten Bosch press release · Matsue Suigosai (official) · Chikusei City · Sumida River Fireworks (official) · Itō tourism: Anjin Festival · Tsuchiura competition (Ibaraki tourism) · Nishinippon Shimbun on the Chikugo River cancellation · Kumamoto Nichinichi on the Yatsushiro cancellation · Jorudan: 2026 cancellations