2025 Japan Fireworks Festival Guide: Dates, Locations & Muslim-Friendly Tips

Summer in Japan is a season of magic — not just because of the sunshine and seasonal food, but because it’s hanabi taikai (fireworks festival) season! Firework displays are held across the country, lighting up rivers, city skylines, and lakes with bursts of colour and sound. For Muslim travellers, these festivals offer a wonderful opportunity to experience Japanese summer traditions — and with a bit of planning, they can be enjoyed in a halal-friendly way. Here's a guide to Japan’s best 2025 fireworks festivals, complete with Muslim-friendly travel tips to help you make the most of your trip.

Also read: Tokyo Lantern Festival 2025: A Guide to Chidorigafuchi’s Floating Lights for Muslim Travellers

HOKKAIDO & TOHOKU REGION

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Start your fireworks adventure in the cooler north. In Hokkaido, the Makomanai Fireworks Festival on 12 July lights up Sapporo with over 22,000 fireworks at Makomanai Sekisui Heim Stadium — a truly explosive start to the season. Sapporo offers halal options like Ramen Santoka and a local mosque, making it easy for Muslim travellers to enjoy the show.

Further south in Iwate, the Morioka Fireworks Festival on 10 August brings music and fireworks together along the Kitakami River. While halal options may be limited, travellers can pack snacks or bento boxes. In Miyagi, the Sendai Tanabata Fireworks Festival on 5 August kicks off the city’s colourful Tanabata celebration. There’s a mosque and several vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Sendai.

The Omagari Fireworks Festival in Akita on 30 August is Japan’s top fireworks competition, where the best teams showcase their skills. It’s a major event, so early bookings and preparing your own halal food are wise. In Yamagata, the Akagawa Fireworks Festival (16 August) takes place along the riverbank, offering a more scenic and peaceful setting. Lastly, Fukushima’s Iwaki Fireworks Festival on 2 August is a smaller, relaxed option with a more local vibe — great for travellers seeking a low-key experience.

GREATER TOKYO & KANTO REGION

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In Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto region, firework festivals are in full swing by late July. The Katsushika Noryo Fireworks Festival on 22 July offers a more local, traditional experience along the Edogawa River. Not far away, you’ll find halal restaurants and prayer facilities in areas like Ueno and Asakusa.

One of the biggest events of the season, the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival on July 26, lights up the riverbanks with historical flair. Asakusa Mosque is nearby, and halal eateries like Gyumon in Shibuya are accessible by train. Also on 26 July, the Showa Kinen Park Fireworks Display offers a spacious setting ideal for Muslim families — bring your picnic mat, halal bento, and a travel prayer mat.

Tokyo’s Edogawa Fireworks Festival on 2 August and the Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival on 16 August round out the capital’s major events. Both are easily accessible and surrounded by halal dining options. Don’t forget the nearby Itabashi Fireworks Festival on 3 August, which offers great riverfront viewing.

In Chiba, the Makuhari Beach Fireworks Festa on 19 July gives travellers a seaside view of the summer skies. Kanagawa offers two gems: the Kamakura Fireworks Festival on 18 July, and the high-tech Minato Mirai Smart Festival on 4 August, near Yokohama’s bay area. Both areas are well-developed with plenty of halal and vegetarian options.

CHUBU REGION

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The Chubu region offers some of the most picturesque fireworks experiences. In Niigata, the Nagaoka Grand Fireworks Festival on 2-3 August is one of Japan’s most emotional events, held to honour WWII victims. While halal options are limited, local seafood dishes may be suitable.

Over in Yamanashi, the Kawaguchiko Lake Festival on 5 August offers breathtaking fireworks with Mount Fuji as a backdrop — perfect for couples or content creators. Kawaguchiko has a growing number of Muslim-friendly guesthouses and restaurants.

KANSAI & CENTRAL JAPAN

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Mie Prefecture hosts the Ise Shrine Fireworks Festival on 19 July, set near Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrine. While it’s a deeply cultural site, Muslim travellers can explore respectfully and enjoy the traditional atmosphere.

In Osaka, the Senshu Fireworks Festival on 23 August near Kansai Airport is great for travellers arriving or departing during the season. If you're staying longer, check out the Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival on 24 October — a rare autumn show! Osaka is one of the most Muslim-friendly cities in Japan, with abundant halal restaurants and prayer spaces like the Osaka Mosque.

SOUTHERN JAPAN & OKINAWA

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Fireworks meet the tropics in Okinawa, where the Ocean Expo Fireworks Display on 5 July sets the mood for summer island vibes. With halal cafes and the Naha Mosque, it’s a laid-back yet spiritually accommodating destination.

In Fukuoka, the Chikugo River Fireworks Festival on 5 August is Kyushu’s largest, attracting tens of thousands. The city has great halal ramen shops and the Fukuoka Mosque, making it easy to enjoy both faith and fun. Over in Nagasaki, the Sasebo Seaside Festival (TBD, early September) brings fireworks and food stalls together along the waterfront. There are limited halal options here, but the nearby Huis Ten Bosch area may offer suitable meals for Muslim visitors.

IBARAKI HIDDEN GEMS

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Ibaraki Prefecture is often overlooked, but it has three exciting fireworks festivals in 2025: the Koga Fireworks Festival on 2 August, the Tonegawa Fireworks Festival on 13 September, and the famous Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition in early November. These events offer smaller crowds, beautiful riverside views, and a slower pace — perfect for those who prefer peaceful exploration. You can easily access these towns from Tokyo and pack halal-friendly meals for the trip.

Muslim travel tips for Hanabi season

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To make the most of the fireworks season in Japan as a Muslim traveller, a little preparation goes a long way. Carry halal snacks or bento boxes, especially for smaller towns. A travel prayer mat is handy for parks and riversides, and public restrooms can be used for wudhu. Use apps like Halal Navi and HappyCow to find nearby halal-friendly restaurants. And don’t forget to dress comfortably — many locals wear light cotton yukata, which are modest and ideal for summer.

Also read: Sapporo Summer Festival Guide for Muslim Travellers, A Must Visit Event This Summer

Final thoughts

Japan’s 2025 fireworks festivals promise a summer full of colour, culture, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re wandering through the bustling streets of Tokyo, gazing at Mount Fuji, or enjoying the sea breeze in Okinawa, there's a hanabi event waiting for you. And with increasing access to halal food, prayer spaces, and Muslim-friendly services, it’s easier than ever for Muslim travellers to join in the celebration. So pack your prayer mat, your camera, and your sense of wonder — and get ready for a truly explosive summer adventure!