Fireworks for free fun

As much as I can't stand the humidity of summer in Japan, I love the firework displays. I particularly like fireworks that are on later in summer, because the evenings do cool down - very marginally - from around mid August. It feels more comfortable watching fireworks when the temperatures are below 35 degrees! So we try to save our firework viewing for the second half of August and thankfully there are dozens of options for late August fireworks around Japan. Such as this firework display in Sukagawa City (the birthplace of the creator of Godzilla and Ultraman):

Sukagawa Shakado River Fireworks

The Shakado River fireworks are one of the largest annual festivals in Sukagawa City, Fukushima Prefecture. They launch about 10,000 fireworks. In 2023, they are scheduled for Saturday August 26th, from 7 pm.

Apart from the merit of being on in late August, another plus for these fireworks is that they are located close to a train station. The fireworks are launched from the riverbed in front of the JR Sukagawa Station. Furthermore, they are set to music. Its not that unusual for fireworks to be set to music, but often you can't hear the music very well, especially if you end up viewing them from a distance. But with the Shakado River Fireworks you can tune into live coverage on the local radio.

Information

Event: Sukagawa City Shakado River Fireworks 須賀川市釈迦堂川花火大会

Date: Saturday August 26th 2023 

Time: from 7 pm

Cost: there is no admission fee, but you can pay for a reserved seat.

Venue: Near JR Sukagawa Station

Access: about a five minute walk from Sukagawa Station which is on the JR Tohoku main line. By car, it is about a five minute drive from the Sukagawa Interchange. There is parking for about 3000 cars.

In the area

• The excellent, free, Eiji Tsuburaya Museum
• More free fun on Ultraman Street
• One of the official top 100 city parks of Japan
• Galata Coffee
• Hotel Wing International Sukagawa