Fireworks are beautiful flowers that bloom gracefully in the night sky and are one of the most popular summer attractions in Japan. Every year, fireworks festivals are held at various beaches and riversides, attracting not only the locals but also people from all over the country. But did you know that fireworks festivals are held all over Japan in the cold winter season as well? In this article, we will introduce you to some of the best winter fireworks festivals scheduled to be held in Japan in the winter of 2023-2024.
1. FUJI MOTORSPORTS FOREST Fireworks by Fujisan Hanabi
This year, an exciting collaboration with racing cars and dynamic fireworks with the view of Mt. Fuji will take place at a motorsport race track, Fuji International Speedway! At the opening performance, racing cars and fireworks will run through the main street that extends 1.5km at speed. You’ll see a fireworks event that you have never seen before! Tickets are required for all the seats, and there are several different seats available depending on what you want to enjoy the most. For example, if you want to enjoy the collaboration of racing cars and fireworks, you can get a Ground Stand ticket, or if you want to enjoy just the fireworks, you can get a ticket for Exciting Area. There are also Private Parking Area that allows you to watch the fireworks from your car, and even Day Camp VIP Area where you can enjoy BBQ while watching the fireworks! There are other options for the tickets too, so please check the official website for more information.
FUJI MOTORSPORTS FOREST Fireworks by Fujisan Hanabi
Date: March 30th (Sat), 2024
Time: 1 PM – 6 PM
Number of Fireworks: ~8,000, 1 Shaku-Ball
Website: FUJI MOTORSPORTS FOREST Fireworks by Fujisan Hanabi
2. Huis Ten Bosch
Huis Ten Bosch is a Dutch-themed amusement park located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyushu, and is famous for being the largest amusement park in Japan. During the Christmas season, Huis Ten Bosch sets off fireworks to the tune of Christmas songs, creating a beautiful display in the night sky for visitors to enjoy. This year on New Year’s Eve (December 31st), they will be holding a countdown fireworks display. There will also be a live music performance by several Japanese artists before the countdown fireworks. Watching the fireworks as you ring in the New Year in Huis Ten Bosch is sure to be a memorable experience!
Huis Ten Bosch 2023
Dates/times:
Christmas Fireworks
December 16th (Sat), 23th (Sat), 24th (Sun), 25th (Mon), 31st (Sun)
8:30 PM – 8:45 PM,
New Year’s Eve Countdown Fireworks
*Confirmed
Number of fireworks: (Christmas) About 3,000/(New Year’s Eve) About 8,000
Website: Huis Ten Bosch
3. Atami Kaijo Fireworks Festival
The Atami Kaijo Fireworks Festival in Shizuoka prefecture is held regularly throughout the year. This year marks 70 years of this historic fireworks display! The fireworks are held at Atami Bay, which is conveniently only a 10-15 minute walk from Atami Station. Some hotels even have a nice view of the fireworks, so you can relax and enjoy the fireworks without worrying about the busy crowds. If you ever plan to visit Atami, this is a must-see fireworks display!
Atami Kaijo Hanabi Festival 2023 (Winter)
Dates: 2023: November 19th (Sun), December 3rd (Sun), December 23rd (Sat)
Time: 8:20 PM – 8:40 PM
Number of fireworks: About 3,000
Website: Atami Firework Festival
4. Isogai Fireworks Theater
Isogai Fireworks Theater is a one-night-only Christmas fireworks event held at the port of Nagoya, Aichi prefecture. Every year on Christmas night, many people gather at the port of Nagoya to watch these beautiful fireworks. What’s special about this fireworks show is the harmony of the beautiful fireworks combined with the realistic and powerful sound surrounding you, making it feel as if you are watching a show in a theater. If you want to spend your Christmas in a romantic setting watching breathtaking fireworks, Isogai Fireworks Festival is the best choice!
Isogai Fireworks Theater 2023
Date: December 23th (Sat)
Time: 6:30-7:15 PM
Number of fireworks: Not officially announced
Website: Isogai Fireworks Theater
5. Kawaguchi Lake Winter Hanabi
Kawaguchiko is a large lake in Yamanashi Prefecture, located at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Kawaguchi Lake Winter Festival is held here at the lake every winter and you can see the wonderful evening fireworks display with the majestic Mt. Fuji in the background. This spectacular view makes it a popular tourist attraction, bringing people from all over. If you are lucky, you might even be able to see Mt. Fuji and the colorful fireworks reflected on the surface of Lake Kawaguchi, which is truly picturesque. You will be able to capture pictures that are perfect for postcards, calendars, or whatever you decide to use them for!
Kawaguchi Lake Winter Hanabi 2024
Dates: Every Saturday and Sunday from January 20th (Sat) to February 18th (Sun) , and February 23rd (Thu)
Time: 8:00 PM – 8:20 PM
Number of fireworks: Not officially announced
Website: Kawaguchiko Lake Winter Hanabi
6. Gero Onsen Hanabi Monogatari
Gero Onsen, located in Gero City, Gifu Prefecture, is one of the three most famous hot springs in Japan, along with Arima Onsen and Kusatsu Onsen. Gero Onsen is a clear, colorless, alkaline hot spring that will help moisturize your skin. At Gero Onsen, there is a 10-minute fireworks show held every Saturday and on Christmas Eve until March 2024. Surprisingly, the fireworks show has a different theme every time. This way not only visitors but locals can also enjoy a fun and unique display every week. Watching the fireworks while soaking in the relaxing hot springs is bound to be an exceptional experience!
Gero Onsen Hanabi Monogatari 2023
Dates: To be announced!
Time: 8:30 PM -8:40 PM
Number of fireworks: 2681
Website: Gero Onsen Hanabi Monogatari
7. Hakodate Kaijo Fuyu Hanabi
Hakodate, one of the major cities in Hokkaido, usually holds a fireworks festival near the harbor for three days in February. The fireworks festival here is famous for its truly breathtaking combination of vivid fireworks and the fantastically well lit up city. If you have the chance to capture the show from nearby hotels and restaurants, they will without a doubt turn out wonderful.
Hakodate Kaijo Fuyu Hanabi 2024
Date: To be announced!
Time: 8 PM – 8:10 PM
Number of fireworks: Not officially announced
Website: Hakodate Kaijo Fuyu Hanabi
8. Chichibu Night Festival
Located in Chichibu on the western side of Saitama Prefecture, the Chichibu Night Festival is held annually in early December. During the Chichibu Night Festival, a number of gorgeous yatai (屋台, floats) are pulled through the town, bringing a lot of excitement to the local people. As fireworks are set off, they only add to the fun and thrill of the festival.
Chichibu Night Festival 2024
Dates: Every year December 2nd and 3rd
Time: Not officially announced
Number of fireworks: Not officially announced
Official Website: Chichibu Night Festival
After talking about eight of the best winter fireworks festivals throughout Japan, which one do you want to visit the most? Just a heads up, due to the effects of COVID-19 or bad weather on the day of the festival, there may be cancelations, so please be sure to check the official website for each festival carefully. Many hotels and restaurants are also doing events connected to these fireworks festivals, so if you don’t want to be in a big crowd or simply would rather enjoy the fireworks in a relaxed atmosphere, this might also be a good option for you. Why don’t you light up your life and go see some fireworks in Japan this winter?
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Mao Goto is a Japanese freelancer who was born in Hayama, Kanagawa prefecture, and raised in Tokyo. Since 2016 she lives in the Taito Ward, home to a lot of Japanese culture hotspots such as Asakusa, Akihabara, and Ueno. She has been interested in the field of English education of Japan and got her Master’s degree in March, 2020. A lover of photography, travel, sweets, and cross-stitch. Contact her via Facebook.
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