Summer is approaching and we can soon look forward to warm nights lit up by spectacular fireworks festivals in and around Tokyo. One of the best displays is in the nearby hot spring town of Atami in Shizuoka prefecture. The coastal resort is widely known for its massive fireworks shows, and there will be six happening over July and August. What’s more, Atami is only a 36-minute shinkansen ride away from Shinagawa Station, making it an ideal weekend getaway.
Atami’s fireworks festivals are scheduled for July 28 as well as August 5, 8, 18, 22 and 25, from 8.20pm to 8.45pm. The hanabi (fireworks) are launched from Atami Bay, so you’ll get the best views along the coastline between Sun Beach and Atami Port.
Being partially surrounded by mountains, Atami Bay’s mortar-like terrain helps create an acoustic effect similar to that of a large stadium. The reverberations of the fireworks’ explosion will sound amplified. For that reason, Atami is known as one of the best locations for hanabi in Japan.
The fireworks’ reflections on the water’s surface also make for a memorable sight. You’ll also want to stay until the end for the grand finale Niagara Falls in the Sky, where a torrent of fireworks are launched simultaneously.
Atami’s fireworks festival dates back to 1952. It was first held in honour of the reconstruction efforts by the local residents after a typhoon washed away 140 houses in 1949 and a large fire destroyed 979 buildings in 1950.
Don’t worry if you can’t make it to any of the six summer shows. Atami’s fireworks are held multiple times a year, so you can still catch the autumn/winter shows on September 18, October 14 and December 3 between 8.20pm and 8.40pm.
For more information, see the event website (in Japanese only).
This article was originally published on July 7 2022 and updated on May 1 2023.
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