Katsushika Fireworks Festival

The Katsushika Noryo Fireworks Festival (葛飾納涼花火大会) is a popular mid-summer event held along the Edogawa River. While historically launching 13,000 shells, recent editions have increased the count to approximately 15,000, delivered in a high-intensity 60-minute display. Spectators often arrive early at Shibamata Station to explore the historic temple district before heading to the riverbanks. The viewing area is uniquely flat, occupying municipal baseball and football fields, which provides unobstructed sightlines. Known for having one of the closest spectator zones in Tokyo, the festival offers an immersive and powerful acoustic experience. Reserved seating for two or four people is available near the launch barges.

Because the launch site is situated closer to the audience than most other major Tokyo displays, the sensory impact of the explosions is significantly heightened. The flat terrain of the Shibamata baseball fields allows even those without reserved seats to enjoy a clear view, provided they arrive by late afternoon to secure a spot. In addition to Shibamata Station on the Keisei Kanamachi Line, Shin-Shibamata Station on the Hokuso Line offers an alternative route that is often slightly less congested. Visitors should note that the festival concludes promptly at 8:20 PM, leading to an immediate surge toward the ticket gates; taking a short walk through the old town to wait out the initial rush is a common strategy for regular attendees.