Kyoto Racecourse

Held at the Kyoto Racecourse, Kyoto Art Fireworks is designed by one of Japan’s leading pyrotechnic choreographers, Ryo Oya. The hour-long non-stop display is structured to unfold in a cinematic sequence, complete with an opening, a climax and a finale. To achieve this, the pyrotechnics are synchronised to music, timed precisely to 1/30 of a second. As in previous years, the playlist will span languages and genres from J-pop to Western and classical music. The event is fully ticketed, with tiered stadium-style seating starting at ¥9,000. There’s also a photographer’s ticket for ¥28,000; this offers standing room only within a designated zone where tripods are permitted. Lower-category seats are available at an early-bird discount of ¥8,000 until the end of May.