Published October 20, 2026 at 7:26 PM JST

Beside the Sakura River in Ibaraki, top fireworks makers from around Japan compete each autumn in a contest that began in 1925 and reached its centennial year in 2025.

Quick answer: The Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition is a contest of professional fireworks makers held on the banks of the Sakura River in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki, usually on a Saturday evening in early November in recent years. Organizers set the exact date each year, and the 95th edition was listed for November 7, 2026. About 20,000 fireworks light the sky, and the best entry across all categories earns the Prime Minister's Award.

A fireworks show that is also a contest

Many summer fireworks displays are made for enjoyment alone. The Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition is different, because it is also a serious contest in which fireworks makers from many regions bring their finest work and are judged on it. The result is a display that feels like an exhibition of the craft at its highest level, performed in front of a huge crowd.

The competition takes place on the riverbank of the Sakura River near Gakuen Bridge in Tsuchiura, a city in Ibaraki Prefecture northeast of Tokyo. A fireworks information site lists the launch at about 20,000 fireworks and a usual crowd of about 650,000 people, and it ranks the event at the top of Ibaraki's popular fireworks displays. Because the figures depend on the year, treat them as approximate.

In recent years the competition has been held in autumn, which means crisp, clear evening air and a sky that often shows off every burst. The cooler weather also makes it a comfortable season for watching, although warm clothing is wise for a long evening beside the river.

How the competition began in 1925

The competition began in 1925, the fourteenth year of the Taisho era. According to the Tsuchiura city materials, it was started by Akimoto Baiho, the abbot of Shinryuji temple, who wished to console those who had lost their lives in accidents connected with the Kasumigaura Naval Air Corps and to support the local economy. Another Japanese source adds that the founding was also tied to hopes for recovery after the Great Kanto Earthquake and to remembrance of those lost in war.

The event was paused during the war years and was restarted soon after the war, according to a travel site run by a railway company. That history explains why the edition numbers do not simply match the number of years. The 94th competition took place in 2025, which was the centennial year, and the 95th is listed for 2026.

For the 100th anniversary year, the city held special projects, including a museum exhibition on the history of Tsuchiura fireworks and the craftspeople who make them. The anniversary shows how closely the competition is woven into the identity of the city. Local people often speak about it with pride, and the volunteers who help clean up afterward are part of that tradition.

The three competition categories

The contest is divided into three categories, and watching them is like seeing three different kinds of artistry in one evening.

The first is the Starmine category. Starmines are rapid-fire sequences of many shells launched in a connected pattern. According to a travel site, entrants use a set of launchers and shells of a defined size and are judged on how well the sequence is built. This is the category where speed, rhythm and layered color come together, and many viewers find it the most thrilling.

The second is the 10-go category, which uses large single shells with a diameter of about 30 centimeters. Each shell is a carefully built sphere of stars, and a well made one opens into a perfect round flower far above the river. Judges look for roundness, color, timing and the clean opening of the burst.

The third is the creative fireworks category, which focuses on original designs. In this category makers present a small group of shells arranged around a concept, and they are judged on imagination and craftsmanship. Each work has a name, and part of the fun is watching to see how well the fireworks fit it.

Awards are given by category. According to a travel site, the top entry across all three categories receives the Prime Minister's Award, while category winners receive further national and prefectural awards. The 92nd competition's Prime Minister's Award went to Kikuya Obata Fireworks of Takasaki, Gunma, according to the same source.

What the evening is like

The show is typically held in the evening on a Saturday. For 2025, the schedule was 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, with a backup date one week later in case of weather. Dates and times can change, so check the official information for the current year before making plans.

The display moves through the categories, and the announcers introduce the makers and the names of their works. The names, which describe the shape, color and changes of each shell, add a layer of storytelling for those who read Japanese. You do not need to follow every word to enjoy the show, because the sky is the star.

Music and synchronized effects have also drawn attention in recent years, according to a travel site. A local cable broadcaster has produced a live broadcast and streaming of the competition, so people who cannot attend can still watch from home. The event is held rain or shine in most conditions, but severe weather may cause a postponement.

Seats, access and viewing manners

The competition offers paid viewing seats, including floor-style seating and chair seating. According to a railway company travel site, the 2025 seats were sold by lottery through an online ticket service, with limits on the number of seats each person could apply for. A resale arrangement was also available for winners who could not attend. Free viewing areas also exist along the riverbank, though they fill up quickly, so plan to arrive well ahead of the start.

The nearest station is Tsuchiura on the JR Joban Line. From Ueno, the travel site says a limited express takes about 45 minutes and a local train about 70 minutes. From the station it is about a 30 minute walk to the venue, or about 10 minutes by a paid shuttle bus. If you travel by car, parking is limited and requires a reservation, and heavy traffic around the venue is expected.

Crowds, manners and the trip home

Many visitors find the busiest moment is after the show, when stations are crowded and entry may be controlled. Allow extra time for the trip home, and keep patience and kindness in mind. The same source notes that having a limited express ticket does not guarantee priority boarding on the day.

The venue is entirely non-smoking, and photography is limited to your own seat area, with no tripods or photography higher than seated height, according to the same travel site. Leave your space clean as well. Roughly 2,400 volunteers help clean the area the next day, according to that source, so taking your trash with you is a lovely way to support them.

Local flavor and recognition

Part of the local tradition is the hanabi bento, a boxed meal made for people to eat while watching the show. According to a travel site, these are a specialty of the event. Food stalls also line the area around the venue, and the festive crowd gives the riverbank a lively market feel before the fireworks begin.

Tsuchiura sits beside Lake Kasumigaura, and the lake and the river are a part of the city's character. The competition is widely described in Japanese media as one of the leading fireworks contests in the country, often connected with the title of the best starmine in Japan.

Visitors who want to extend the trip can look at the Tsuchiura city exhibitions and local events, which in the centennial year included a museum show about the history of fireworks in the city. Since schedules vary, it is best to check the official city pages for current plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Tsuchiura fireworks competition held?

In recent years it has been held on a Saturday in early November. The 94th edition took place on November 1, 2025, and the 95th is listed for November 7, 2026. Organizers confirm the date and a backup day every year, so check the official information before you go.

How many fireworks are launched?

Travel and information sites list about 20,000 fireworks. The figure can differ slightly from year to year, and it is best read as an approximate number rather than an exact count.

How do I get to the venue?

Take the JR Joban Line to Tsuchiura Station. The venue near Gakuen Bridge is about a 30 minute walk from the west exit, and a paid shuttle bus has been available for the roughly 10 minute ride. Trains are very crowded after the show, so plan extra time for the return trip.

Further reading: the Tsuchiura city page on the fireworks centennial, the railway travel guide to the Tsuchiura fireworks competition and the travel guide to the 94th Tsuchiura fireworks competition.

Keep exploring: Suwa Lake Fireworks: Mountain Echoes and Light on the Water; Kawagoe Festival: Little Edo's Revolving Floats and Hikkawase Duels; Nikko Toshogu Spring Grand Festival: Mounted Archers and a Samurai March; Soma Nomaoi: Hundreds of Armored Riders and the Race for Sacred Flags.