At this time of year, towns and cities across Japan will be setting off grand displays of fireworks to light up the night sky. This is an age-old Japanese summer tradition dating back to the Edo period (1603–1868) – and one that many people enjoy without realising the modern challenges faced by fireworks festivals across the country.
Despite attracting a staggering 58.95 million visitors and generating an economic ripple effect of nearly ¥2.4 trillion nationwide, an increasing number of firework displays are being cancelled each year. According to the Japan Fireworks White Paper 2025 published by Harekaze Action, an initiative by Kirin to support and preserve Japan’s fireworks culture, pyrotechnic festivals are under threat due to rising costs from inflation, increasing security demands, staffing shortages and a lack of both funding and successors.
To highlight these issues while promoting the beauty of Japanese fireworks, Harekaze Action is collecting unused shells from fireworks events that were cancelled this year and launching them in a one-off event at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. These include Hyogo’s Inagawa Fireworks Festival, whose origins date back to 1948, the Futaba Fireworks Festival in Fukushima, and the Takaishi Seaside Festival in Osaka, among others.
Titled ‘Harekaze Action: Fireworks of Hope for the Future’, the event will take place on Saturday August 23. The fireworks will be launched from the southern seawall of Yumeshima, the man-made island that serves as the Expo site. The event is being held in conjunction with the Japan Fireworks Expo, an ongoing series at Expo 2025 showcasing some of Japan’s most iconic fireworks festivals.
You won’t need a separate ticket to enjoy the spectacle, just general admission to the Expo on the day. While no official time has been announced, the fireworks are expected to start shortly after sunset, likely between 7.30pm and 8pm.
For the latest updates, check the Japan Fireworks Expo website.
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