When you think of summer in Japan, what comes to mind? For me, it’s the sound of cicadas, the smell of mosquito coils, and above all… fireworks (hanabi). You don’t always need a big festival to enjoy them—buying a small pack at the supermarket and lighting them with your kids can be just as magical.
This summer, I tried it with my own children, and for just about 3,000 yen we created an evening that my kids still talk about.
Enjoy Japanese Fireworks with Kids: Where to get them?
Supermarkets, home centers, and even convenience stores start selling fireworks around June until the beginning of September. The packages are colorful, and contain all kinds of sparklers and mini fireworks. The best part? You can carry them home easily—no special preparation needed. Above are the fireworks we prepared this year.
We bought two packs: one with ground-type fireworks you place on the floor, and another with plenty of handheld sparklers. Some handheld fireworks burn out in just a few seconds, but this pack said they last 30 to 70 seconds. I thought that would be perfect for kids to hold and enjoy safely.
Enjoy Japanese Fireworks with Kids: What you need
Here is a list of items you will need to enjoy fireworks. You can purchase them at supermarkets or Daiso.
- Bucket of water – for safety and soaking used fireworks
- Lighter or long match – to light the fireworks safely
- Optional: solid fuel sticks – an alternative to lighters for certain fireworks
Enjoy Japanese Fireworks with Kids: Finding a Place to Play
Here’s the tricky part: not every park allows fireworks. Some even have clear signs that say 「花火禁止」 (“No Fireworks”). The main reasons are safety, the risk of fire, noise and smoke that may disturb nearby residents, and the extra cleaning required. Since each city or park has its own rules, it’s always best to check in advance before bringing your fireworks.
To avoid disappointment, check in advance:
- Ask locally: your hotel or Airbnb host usually knows safe spots.
- Search online: type “[city name] 花火 できる場所” (hanabi dekiru basho = places where you can do fireworks).
- Local info boards: sometimes neighborhoods post summer activity rules.
Enjoy Japanese Fireworks with Kids: Safety Tips for Families with Kids
Since most instructions are written in Japanese, here is a brief explanation of the fireworks safety tips you can share with your kids.
- Do not point at people.
- Keep firework on the ground or downwards.
- Light with an adult only.
- Keep water nearby.
- Do not touch after it burns out.
- Throw in trash after soaking in water.
Ground-type fireworks can shoot sparks about 2 meters around. After lighting, stay at least 5 meters away.
I was surprised at how much my 3-year-old enjoyed holding sparklers. Of course, we set some ground rules first:
Honestly, kids take rules seriously if you explain it’s about keeping everyone safe. My little one repeated, “Not at people! Downwards!” like a chant while holding his sparkler—it was adorable.
Enjoy Japanese Fireworks with Kids: Clean Up and Wrap Up
Once the fireworks were finished, we put the used sticks into the bucket of water. After soaking, they can go out with burnable trash. We also emptied the bucket on the grass. It only takes a few minutes, but it’s important to leave the spot clean for the next family.
Enjoy Japanese Fireworks with Kids: Why It’s Worth It
The fireworks themselves lasted maybe 40 minutes, but the excitement lasted much longer. My children were still glowing afterwards, begging: “Let’s do it again tomorrow!” That little pack of fireworks turned into one of our favorite summer memories.
If you’re visiting Japan with kids in the summer, I highly recommend trying it. It’s simple, affordable, and gives you a taste of everyday Japanese family life—not just sightseeing.
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