Picturesque Lake Kawaguchiko in the Fuji Five Lakes will host a spectacular 55-minute firework display this summer. Find out more here.

Intro
Fireworks over Lake Kawaguchiko
What Else To See and Do in the Fuji Five Lakes
More Summer Fireworks in Japan
Bonus Recommendations

Intro

Planning to travel from Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchiko in the beautiful Fuji Fives Lakes area of Japan this summer? Well, you’re in for a treat, especially if you’re a fan of spectacular sights and sounds. This August will see an epic 55-minute firework display take place over the shimmering waters of Lake Kawaguchiko, against the backdrop of the towering and iconic Mount Fuji. Sounds great, doesn’t it? In our latest post, we’ll tell you how to get there with the Japan Rail Pass, what else to see and do in this stunningly beautiful area, and much more. Get ready for a festival of fire and water!   

Fireworks over Lake Kawaguchiko

Staged as part of the Kawaguchiko Kojo Matsuri summer festival, a special 55-minute fireworks show is scheduled to take place in the skies above the lake on Monday August 5 from 7.45pm. A huge array of fireworks will launch from a special platform in the middle of the lake located between the east shore and Kawaguchiko Bridge. Fireworks known as starmines will create dazzling reflections over the water as they explode and that’s not all - the whole show will also be choreographed to music. According to organisers, the best viewing positions will be Oike Park or Funatsuhama and Hirahama shores. You’ll also be well catered for with festival food and drink stalls between Oike Park and the Komagari Tunnel lakeside. Seasoned Lake Kawaguchiko firework festival goers recommend that if the sky is clear, take a walk to the other side of the lake, either Nagasaki Park or Oishi Park, for a view of the spectacular show of Mt Fuji in the background. And that’s not the end of the festivities. On August 15 and 16, the summer celebrations continue with the Oku kawaguchiko Furusato Matsuri and Fujikawaguchiko Lantern Matsuri.

What Else To See and Do in the Fuji Five Lakes

One of Japan’s most famous and most picturesque tourist destinations, the Fuji Five Lakes has a huge amount to offer visitors. As their name suggests, the Fuji Five Lakes are (yes, you guessed it) five stunning lakes that lie below the iconic Mt Fuji along its northern sides. Between the lakes are several local settlements with Fujiyoshida the main city of the region. The five lakes of the Fuji Five Lakes are Lake Kawaguchi (pictured above), Lake Yamanaka, Lake Motosu, Lake Saiko and Lake Shoji.

Lava flows from Mt Fuji formed all of the lakes at different times by damming up local rivers, with some lakes still connected by subterranean waterways. All of the lakes sit at around 1,000 metres above sea level but are still a long, long way from the peak of Mt Fuji. Lake Yamanaka is the largest of the five lakes and sits off on its own a little to the east of Mount Fuji. However, it’s Lake Kawaguchi that is the most popular of the lakes because it enjoys the best views of the mountain and is the easiest to reach. It’s also the best of the lakes for a day trip from Tokyo. To travel to the Fuji Five Lakes from Tokyo, pass holders will want to take the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo and get off at Otsuki Station. From there, you’ll need to use the Fujikyu Railway Line to reach Kawaguchiko Station, the best place to start exploring the area. 

More Summer Fireworks in Japan

The epic fireworks at Lake Kawaguchiko are just one of several spectacular shows taking place across Japan this summer. As a country, Japan loves fireworks and you’re likely to see shows throughout the year, but unlike the US and Britain, they’re most closely associated with the summer months.

Lake Suwa Festival

There’s something breathtaking about seeing fireworks reflecting in the still water of a beautiful lake or river. Perhaps that is why there are so many festivals based around bodies of water? The Lake Suwa Festival in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture, launches the highest number of fireworks of any festival in Japan - 40,000 - and was originally founded in 1949 to lift the spirits of the Japanese people after the end of the Second World War. Today, it attracts half a million visitors each year. Another top recommendation for fireworks over water are those over Miyajima Island around Itsukushima Shrine - Japan’s famous floating torii gate and one of the most iconic spots in Japan. Fireworks take place at Miyajima in mid-August each year. 

Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival

Founded in 1732, Sumidagawa is the oldest fireworks festival in the world and takes place on the banks of Tokyo’s Sumida River near Asakusa on the last Saturday in July. Summer nights and fireworks go hand in hand! 

Nagaoka Fireworks Festival

This is one of three famous fireworks shows held in Niigata Prefecture and recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. Together the three shows are known as the Fireworks Festivals of Echigo. They are the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, Gion Kashiwazaki Festival, and Katakai Festival. The region loves fireworks so much, it even has winter displays too - the Echigo-Tsumari Snow Fireworks and the Tokamachi Snow Festival. Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is arguably the biggest of all and takes place over two nights in August. It features the largest fireworks shells in Japan - Sanjakudama shells - and has a signature firework called the Phoenix Shell - a symbol of rebirth and recovery introduced after the 2004 Niigata earthquake. Read our guide to Visiting Niigata Prefecture with the JR Pass for more on this area. 

What kind of fireworks might you see in Japan?

 Japanese fireworks have become famous for their expertise, craftsmanship, and spectacular displays. There are also several types of fireworks that have become closely linked to Japan. These include:

• Yonshakadama shells

Huge world-record holding fireworks which measure 1.2 metres and weigh hundreds of kilograms. As you might expect, the resulting explosion is a sight to see! 

• Niagara sprinklers

These fireworks take their name from the famous US waterfall and are essentially sparklers that cascade downwards from a bridge.

• Starmines

These mines burst into beautiful patterns in the sky, from traditional stars to more contemporary shapes like smiley faces, hearts and even Anime characters.

 

Bonus Recommendations

If you’re interested in how Japan celebrates, whether it’s through the summer months or the rest of the year, we have many more articles on the JR Pass blog. Here are a few suggestions for further reading and top tips: 

• Fireworks aren’t the only kind of celebration in Japan over the summer months. For a guide to Japan’s summer festivals, read our guide to the Best Japanese Festivals to Visit.
• Planning a visit to Japan, but unsure of what season is best for you? For a comprehensive month-by-month guide to the weather and temperatures across Japan read our Guide to Japan’s Weather and Seasons. 
• Each of Japan’s seasons is different based on the location within the country. For this reason alone, it pays to rent your own Pocket WIFI to stay connected as you travel and explore Japan, keeping you abreast of the forecast and local conditions in any part of the country.
• If you’re interested in experiencing some of Japan’s most famous celebrations you should also read our guide to Golden Week in Japan and How Japan Celebrates New Year.
• Need a helping hand on arrival? Our dedicated Meet and Greet Service is like having a personal assistant for your holiday who happens to be an expert on Japan. We’ll take care of you from the moment you arrive in Japan.