Summer is well underway as we enter Tokyo's unusually late rainy season. While there are a host of fireworks festivals confirmed happening in Tokyo proper this year, you should also check out these three events in nearby Saitama, especially if you’re looking for a quintessential Japanese summer experience but minus the crowd.
Saitama City Fireworks at Owada Park
The first of the three Saitama city-run fireworks festivals will be held at Owada Park on Sunday July 28 at 7.30pm. Roughly an hour away from Shinjuku Station, the spacious venue offers uninterrupted views of the fireworks regardless of where you are in the park. However, paid seating with the best views is available at the adjacent baseball stadium and pool parking lot. Tickets for these go on sale July 2.
Saitama City Fireworks at Omagi Park
The second venue, located just seven minutes on foot from the nearby Higashi-Urawa Station (and under 50 minutes by train from Shinjuku Station), Omagi Park will host a fireworks display on Saturday August 10 at 7.30pm. Details of this year's event are yet to be announced. However, to give you an idea of what to expect, last year saw over 5,000 shells of fireworks being launched over one hour.
Saitama City Fireworks at Iwatsuki Culture Park
Expect gigantic starmines and other large fireworks at Iwatsuki Culture Park, set to be held on Saturday August 17 at 7.30pm. As this is the most remote out of the three festival sites on this list, your journey will take roughly an hour and fifteen minutes from Shinjuku Station by train and bus. But it’s worth the trek, as you’ll be gazing at a beautiful display of 3,500 fireworks while being surrounded by serene nature.
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