Featuring an overwhelming selection of 290 shops offering deep discounts, Gotemba Premium Outlets in Shizuoka prefecture offers a spectacular view of Mt Fuji on a clear day. Now that there are direct buses from Shibuya, it’s even easier for you to make this a day trip from Tokyo. And you'll want to do just that on a Saturday between July 27 and August 31 to catch the special fireworks.
Called Gotemba Night 2024, the event’s free five-minute hanabi (fireworks display) takes place after closing time at 8.10pm on July 27 as well as August 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. Each show, which is synchronised to music, will launch 500 shells of fireworks.
You’ll be able to enjoy the hanabi from anywhere within the outlet mall grounds. However, since the fireworks are launched from the valley between Yume no Ohashi and Kibo no Ohashi bridges, we recommend watching the show from the elevated Hill Side area. (In case of rain or strong winds, the fireworks show will be postponed to Sunday.)
Fitting with the summer matsuri theme, you can rent a yukata for ¥5,000 at the Hill Side Welcome Centre. Yukata dressing services are also available if you bring your own for ¥2,500. Rentals and dressing services are available from 10am to 8.30pm on days when fireworks are held.
On days of the fireworks, you’ll find food trucks at the East Zone Food Bazar, West Zone Gap Square and at the Hill Side playgrounds, serving Shizuoka prefecture-themed festival grub such as Mt. Fuji-shaped kakigori shaved ice desserts, hamburgers with Shizuoka grown meat patties, Fujinomiya yakisoba and more.
On sunny days, stay on until dusk for a stunning sunset view over Mt Fuji.
For more information, see the event website (in Japanese only).
The article was published on July 3 2023 and updated on July 26 2024.
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