The 10 Best Seasonal Fireworks in Shizuoka Prefecture, Chubu

The Iwata Summer Festival Fireworks represent the quintessential image of summer in Fukude, Iwata. Held mainly at Hamabo Park, roughly 5,000 multicolored fireworks are launched to the accompaniment of electric organ music. A variety of events take place before the fireworks start, including Hawaiian hula dancing and yosakoi dancing. With countless street vendors and food stalls, the whole family is sure to love this fireworks show.

The Atami Fireworks are unique in Japan, in that they take place once every season rather than once a year. Shot off over Atami Bay, spectators watch from the beachfront along the waterway, sharing picnics and marveling at the bursts of color. Especially lauded is Atami's aquatic themed rocket, used in the Grand Finale: the "Aerial Niagara Fall".

The largest fireworks show in Shizuoka Prefecture, with 25,000 fireworks launched. A range of amazing and impactful fireworks arrangements take place, such as the All-Japan Fireworks Competition, the Melodious Star Mine, a fusion of fireworks and music, and the Midair Niagara Falls.

The Anjin Sai, Ito Onsen's largest event, concludes with an amazing display of fireworks. Close to 10,000 fireworks go off in the span of an hour, erupting simultaneously over the water. These include complex bombs and rapid-fire launches, with the signature sight being the fireworks that erupt on the surface of the water and a "waterfalls." The waterfall spans 500m wide and is awe-inspiring. There are also 2,000 paid seats for a better view.

The Anjinsai Lantern Fireworks show is held on the Matsukawa River, which runs through the center of Ito, as one of the Ajinsai events. At the lantern floating ceremony that starts at 7:30pm, about 2,000 lanterns are set afloat, fantastically bobbing on the surface of the water. Afterwards, about 800 fireworks are launched over the course of 10 minutes, their light illuminating the lanterns.

The Abe River Fireworks began as an event in 1953 for the repose of those fallen in war and as a prayer for reconstruction. Today, it features a wide range of large-scale, complex fireworks and is considered Shizuoka Prefecture's finest fireworks show. The variety of colorful fireworks are launched from the center of the Abe River and can be seen from either bank. The final blast of rapid-fire fireworks is simply amazing in its impact.

The Numazu Summer Festival Kano River Fireworks is held in late July and is a classic of summers in Numazu, with residents ardently getting into the thrill of the sacred procession of the shrine palanquin, traditional taiko drum performances, and more. For two days, the Kano River Fireworks Festival is held at night. This event was one of the earliest to take place after WWII as a wish for reconstruction. It boasts the largest scale of urban fireworks shows held in the Tokai area, with 10,000 fireworks launched over two nights. The viewing area can be reached in just ten minutes' walk from Numazu Station, so lots of people from within and without Shizuoka attend.

The Fujieda Fireworks show began in 1917, so it is an old festival. Today it has become a signature sight of summer in the town. Creative and complex fireworks are launched, among them ones in the shape of soccer balls, true to Shizuoka's local sport. The fireworks are reflected on the water of the pond at Rengejioike Park, and the colorful and enchanting mood delights visitors. The fireworks also create a lovely echo as they ping off of the nearby mountains.

This traditional fireworks display with a 120-year history is launched from the banks of the Kashima Tenryu River. Roughly 4,000 fireworks including 12-inch ball shells and starmines brilliantly color the night sky. Enjoy what is now a symbol of the summer, with these powerful fireworks and their booming sounds echoing through the valley.

This fireworks festival is visited by 200,000 spectators annually. A wide variety of fireworks of all shapes and sizes are blasted into the air, close to 5,000 in all. The most exciting is a triple-blast of bombs shot in succession. Seeing the fireworks "bloom" in the night sky on such a large scale is thrilling. Yaizu Harbor, where the event is held, is a spacious venue, so you can watch the fireworks in comfort.