What this is
The 67th Itabashi Fireworks Festival is one of Tokyo's most celebrated summer fireworks events, held annually along the Arakawa Riverbed in Itabashi Ward. This year marks a special milestone — the 50th anniversary of the Itabashi Tourism Association — making the 2026 edition particularly significant. The festival is renowned for featuring competitive performances by Japan's top 10 fireworks masters, including the launch of an impressive 1.5-meter shell and a breathtaking 300-meter Niagara Falls waterfall effect. A unique highlight is the joint display held simultaneously with the Toda Bridge Fireworks Festival across the river in Saitama, creating a dual-bank spectacle. The 2026 edition also features a special Pokémon collaboration showcasing Captain Pikachu-themed shells, Poké Ball bursts, and a grand Poké Ball finale.
Who should go
This festival is ideal for families, couples, and anyone who wants to experience a quintessential Japanese summer hanabi event at one of Tokyo's grandest scales. The Pokémon collaboration makes it especially appealing for anime fans and children, while the competitive fireworks masters' performances will delight pyrotechnics enthusiasts and photography lovers. The atmosphere is lively and festive, with large crowds dressed in yukata lining the riverbanks. Arrive early to secure a good viewing spot along the Arakawa Riverbed, as popular areas fill up hours before the launch.
Good to know
General viewing along the Arakawa Riverbed is free, but premium reserved seating blocks are sold in advance through Lawson Ticket and eplus.jp — foreign credit cards are generally accepted on these platforms, and convenience store pickup at Lawson is the most reliable option for visitors without a Japanese delivery address. The event draws several hundred thousand attendees, so the riverbank fills extremely early; free spots closest to the launch site go first. Food and drink stalls (yatai) line the approach roads selling yakitori, kakigori, and other festival staples — bring cash as most stalls are cash-only. Bag check facilities are not typically available at open-air riverside events of this type, so travel light. The joint display with the Toda Bridge Fireworks Festival means you can see shells bursting from two directions simultaneously, so a central riverbank position offers the best panoramic view.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.