Yokosuka Kaikoku Fireworks Festival

Overview

The Yokosuka Kaiko Fireworks Festival is a fireworks display held along the coast of Tokyo Bay in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is known as the largest fireworks festival in the Miura Peninsula, with approximately 10,000 fireworks launched into the night sky. The fireworks are launched from the sea directly in front of Umikaze Park, and the display can be viewed from various points along the bay, including the Otsu Port area and the Mabori coast, which stretch in a curve from the Yokosuka city center. The festival is organized by the Yokosuka City Tourist Association and co-organized by Yokosuka City, and is typically held in the autumn.

This fireworks festival has traditionally been held in conjunction with the Japan-American Friendship Day Yokosuka, an event held on the same day at the United States Navy Yokosuka Base. The base is partially opened to the general public during this event, allowing visitors to enjoy the atmosphere of America while in Japan, and it has been a popular attraction unique to Yokosuka. However, the festival scheduled for October 5, 2025, was cancelled because the Friendship Day was cancelled due to the closure of United States government agencies. The organizers determined that the festival could not be held safely and made the difficult decision to cancel. Visitors should check the official website for the latest schedule and confirmation of whether the event will take place.

History and Origins

The name "Yokosuka Kaiko Fireworks Festival" derives from Yokosuka's deep connection to the opening of Japan at the end of the Edo period. An ironworks was built in Yokosuka during the final years of the Tokugawa shogunate, and the city subsequently developed as a major naval base. The word "Kaiko," meaning "opening of the country," reflects the pride in this historical role of Yokosuka. The fireworks festival also serves to convey this history to the present generation.

The festival began in 2003 as part of the "Yokosuka Kaikoku Festival," held to mark the 150th anniversary of Commodore Perry's arrival. It has developed in close connection with the long-standing Japan-American friendship events between Yokosuka City and the United States Navy Yokosuka Base. On the day of the fireworks festival, the base has traditionally been partially opened to the public as part of the "Yokosuka Friendship Day," and viewing the fireworks from inside the base was a major characteristic of the event. This combination of a Japanese fireworks festival and a US military base open house event on the same day is a rare example nationwide.

The fireworks are produced by Margaux, a pyrotechnics company with a winning record at the Sumida River Fireworks Festival competition. Approximately 10,000 fireworks are launched from the sea surface, creating a unique spectacle against the backdrop of Yokosuka's night scenery. According to security plans, the festival anticipated approximately 190,000 visitors, with about half of them expected to view the fireworks from within the US Navy Yokosuka Base.

In 2025, the United States Navy Yokosuka Base notified the organizers that the Friendship Day would be cancelled due to the closure of United States government agencies. After consultations with the police and other related organizations, the main organizer, the Yokosuka City Tourist Association, and the co-organizer, Yokosuka City, decided to cancel the fireworks festival, determining that it could not be held safely. Since approximately half of the expected 190,000 visitors were presumed to view the fireworks from within the base, securing alternative viewing locations of this scale proved impossible, and there were concerns about crowd-related accidents. Regarding this cancellation, the Mayor of Yokosuka commented, "With great regret, I made the painful decision to cancel."

Highlights

Approximately 10,000 Fireworks Launched from the Sea The fireworks are launched from the sea directly in front of Umikaze Park, with the display spreading out right before the eyes of spectators. The festival boasts a scale of approximately 10,000 fireworks, the largest in the Miura Peninsula, and is handled by Margaux, a pyrotechnics company with a winning record at the Sumida River Fireworks Festival competition. The sight of fireworks reflecting on the sea surface and large flowers of light opening in the night sky creates a powerful spectacle that cannot be experienced with land-based launches.

Large-Scale Shaku-dama Fireworks The highlight of the program is the powerful shaku-dama, or large-scale fireworks. Shaku-dama are often called the king of fireworks, and the thunderous sound at launch and the large diameter of the flower that opens in the night sky are overwhelming. Viewed in the open space of the seaside, unobstructed by surrounding buildings, the presence of shaku-dama can be fully appreciated. It is customary for shouts of admiration to rise from the spectators when these fireworks are launched.

Starmine Continuous Launches Starmine is a program in which multiple fireworks are launched in rapid succession, often serving as the climax of the festival. Since the launch site is over the sea, the continuous flood of light from the starmine reflects on the water surface, creating a spectacular view that fills the entire field of vision. These launches are often synchronized with music, and the combination of sound and light captivates the audience.

The Reflection of Fireworks on the Sea Surface Because the fireworks are launched over the sea, their light reflects on the water, creating a fantastical scene in which flowers of light appear to bloom on both the night sky and the sea. This reflection is a unique charm of sea-based launches that cannot be enjoyed with land-based displays. Particularly on calm nights with little wind, the sea surface becomes like a mirror, doubling the beauty of the fireworks.

Prime Viewing from Umikaze Park Umikaze Park, located directly in front of the launch site, is the most popular viewing spot. Spots can be reserved from 8:00 AM on the day of the event, and any reservations made before that time will be removed. Those who wish to see the water fireworks up close should secure a spot along the waterfront, but the display can be enjoyed beautifully from anywhere within the park. Food stalls are also set up in the park, allowing visitors to enjoy Yokosuka's local cuisine while watching the fireworks.

Panoramic Views from Heiwa Chuo Park Heiwa Chuo Park is located on a hill approximately 15 minutes on foot from Keikyu Line's Yokosuka-Chuo Station, offering a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay. The park was renovated and reopened in April 2021, and has been maintained as an excellent spot for viewing fireworks. Some of the water fireworks may be partially hidden behind buildings, but the rest of the display can be enjoyed from an elevated perspective looking down. Spots can be reserved from 9:00 AM on the day of the event, and this location is recommended for those who wish to enjoy the fireworks from a different viewpoint than the seaside spots.

Event Information and Access

• Holding Period: The festival is typically held on a Sunday in late September to early October. Please check the official website for the latest schedule and confirmation of whether the event will take place.
• Venue: The sea area around Umikaze Park in Yokosuka City and the surrounding Tokyo Bay coast. The fireworks are launched from the sea directly in front of Umikaze Park.
• Access: The nearest station is Keikyu Line's Yokosuka-Chuo Station, approximately 15 minutes on foot. Kenritsu Daigaku Station is also about 15 minutes on foot; the route from Yokosuka-Chuo Station is easier to navigate, but Kenritsu Daigaku Station is far less crowded.
• Admission: Viewing from roadsides and parks is free. Paid reserved seats may be available in some years, but the prices vary by year, so please refer to official announcements. The availability of paid seats also varies by year; it has been announced that no paid seats will be sold for the 2026 festival.
• Viewing Locations: The main viewing spots include Umikaze Park, Mikasa Park, Heiwa Chuo Park, the Otsu district seawall promenade, and the Mabori coast promenade. Since the time when spots can be reserved varies by location, advance confirmation is necessary.
• Notes: There are traffic restrictions in certain areas, and some facilities cannot be used on the day of the event. For example, the parking lot at Umikaze Park cannot be used all day, and traffic restrictions are enforced around Mikasa Park from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The use of public transportation is recommended.

Surrounding Area Information

Yokosuka City is a port town facing Tokyo Bay and Uraga Channel, with a history as one of Japan's foremost naval ports. The battleship Mikasa, preserved in memory of its service during the Russo-Japanese War, is moored at Mikasa Park. The park is also used as a viewing location during the fireworks festival, but visitors should note that viewing areas may be limited due to construction work.

Yokosuka is also known as a "town of curry," with numerous restaurants in the city serving naval-style curry. During the fireworks festival, visitors can also enjoy Yokosuka's unique cuisine at food stalls set up around the venue. In addition, American-style restaurants and shops line the streets around the US Navy Yokosuka Base, and on days when the base is open to the public, visitors can enjoy authentic American BBQ food.

The area around Yokosuka-Chuo Station has a well-developed shopping district, where visitors can enjoy shopping and dining before the fireworks festival. The Otsu Station area, the next station on the Keikyu Line, and the Mabori coast area are also known as hidden spots where visitors can enjoy the fireworks in a calmer atmosphere, although they are somewhat farther from the launch site. The coastline that stretches in a curve from the Yokosuka city center along Tokyo Bay is also widely used as a viewing area for the fireworks festival.

Related Information

• Official Website: The latest information and notices about the festival are posted on the official website of the Yokosuka Kaiko Fireworks Festival (https://yokosuka-hanabi.com/).
• Yokosuka City Tourist Association: Details of the fireworks festival are also announced sequentially on the official website of the Yokosuka City Tourist Association (https://yokosuka-kanko.com/).
• Yokosuka City Official Website: Official announcements regarding the fireworks festival are also made on the Yokosuka City website.
• Yokosuka Friendship Day: This is an open house event at the US Navy Yokosuka Base, traditionally held on the same day as the fireworks festival. Entry to the base requires presentation of a base-issued identification card.
• Battleship Mikasa: This memorial ship is moored at Mikasa Park and conveys the history of the Russo-Japanese War. The park is also used as a viewing location during the festival, but entry may be restricted depending on construction and lottery conditions.
• Traffic Information: Traffic restrictions are enforced around the venue on the day of the event, and the use of public transportation is recommended. There are also restrictions on bicycle entry and bicycle parking use on the day of the event.

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