Hono no Saiten Festival 炎の祭典

Imagine holding a bamboo tube stuffed with gunpowder under your arm and lighting it, sending sparks and flames shooting up 10 meters into the air. That's what the Hono no Saiten fire festival in Toyohashi is all about. It's one of Aichi Prefecture's most thrilling events and takes place in what is said to be the home of handheld fireworks. The distance from the front row of spectators' seats to the fireworks is about 25 metres, so you can experience the fireworks with all your senses.

You can reach the festival via the Tokaido Shinkansen and regular trains.

Toyohashi Station is approximately an hour and a half by bullet train from Tokyo or 30 minutes from Nagoya. From Toyohashi, head to Ekimae Station and then a short 8-minute ride to Toyohashi Koen-Mae. The festival is held in Toyohashi Park, a five-minute walk from the station.

As night falls, performers in traditional attire take the stage, carrying large gunpowder-filled bamboo tubes. Suddenly fountains of flame shoot 10 meters into the air, filling the night sky with fire and smoke, and sparks cascade down onto the figures below.

The festival usually takes place in September or November.

Toyohashi is the birthplace of these handheld tezutsu fireworks, the place where you can see demonstrations of their raw power on an unparalleled scale.

Information on the event is subject to change, so please check the official website.