Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition

It is held every November along the Sakura River in Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Fireworks artists from all over the country compete for the title of the best in Japan based on their technique.
The competition is divided into three categories: Starmine, No. 10 Ball, and Creative Fireworks, where pyrotechnicians compete for the highest quality, and gorgeous works of art decorate the night sky.
The wide starmine “Tsuchiura Hanabi Zukushi” presented by the festival is launched from multiple locations simultaneously, and its power is breathtaking.

◆ Official website
https://www.tsuchiura-hanabi.jp/

History

The Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition began as a tribute to fallen soldiers and to revitalize the economy after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.
The event brought prosperity to struggling local businesses, gaining support from local merchants.
Over the years, it has grown into a major event for the entire city, celebrated with great enthusiasm. Held in autumn, the competition also serves to celebrate the harvest season and honor the hard work of farmers.

About Fireworks

Starmine

Tsuchiura’s Starmine, of which 22 units are launched, is a 40-meter-wide section of the city, with each pyrotechnist arranging the tubes in an ingenious way. In the past, ignition was done manually while keeping rhythm, but now computer-controlled automatic ignition is the mainstream. The size of the fireworks to be launched is between No. 2.5 and No. 4, and the number of tubes and balls to be used are determined by regulations.

No. 10 ball

Among these, the No. 10 ball has been used in competitions around the country for many years, and the technique has progressed over the years. In the process of wari-mono, the stars are lined up evenly on the inside of the ball skin, and then the ball is filled with cracking agent, and further stars are lined up to make the ball fit the name of the ball. The 30cm-diameter balls are launched 330m into the sky, creating a large blooming flower with a diameter of 300m.

Creative Fireworks

In the Creative Fireworks, which is a competition of innovative ideas that are not bound by a fixed pattern, seven No. 5 balls will be launched. Various patterns of numbers, alphabets, characters, etc. float in the night sky and excite the audience. Some of the fireworks are not spherical in shape, so they may be difficult to see depending on the direction they open.br>

Map around the venue

Shuttle bus from Tsuchiura Station

Schedule:	Tsuchiura Station East Exit ⇔ Venue
To:	15:00～17:30
Return:	18:30～21:30
One way:	Adults: 280yen, Children: 140yen
Time required:	Approx. 10 min.

※ Departure at any time Transportation IC cards are accepted. (Suica, PASMO, etc.)
※ For more information, please visit the Kanto Railway website.

Q＆A

How can I get to the venue?

● By car
From Tokyo: 10 minutes from the Sakura-Tsuchiura Interchange on the Joban Expressway.
From Fukushima area: 10 minutes from the Tsuchiura Kita IC of Joban Expressway.
However, the time required on the day of the event cannot be predicted due to traffic restrictions and congestion.

● By train
It is usually a 30-minute walk from JR Tsuchiura Station.
However, the time required is unpredictable due to traffic congestion on the day of the event.

Are parking lots available?

There are approximately 4,200 free and paid parking spaces available for fireworks spectators. In addition to the parking provided by the organizer, there are many private parking lots near Tsuchiura Station and the venue.
However, on the day of the event, the city of Tsuchiura will be crowded from early in the morning.
Traffic congestion will continue until late at night on your way home as well, so we recommend that you use public transportation.

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