Experience Hakone's Spectacular Fireworks: A Guide to Festivals and Events
Hakone is one of Japan's most renowned hot spring resort areas. With its cool and comfortable climate, many tourists visit Hakone in summer to escape the heat.
As a hugely popular tourist destination, Hakone offers events for travelers to enjoy throughout the year. In particular, Hakone Shrine, located at Lake Ashinoko (Hakone's symbol), hosts various ceremonies and traditional events on a grand scale.
In this article, I will introduce in detail the Hakone Fireworks festivals held in summer. I've compiled information about fireworks displays held at Lake Ashinoko and Goura, a popular area in Hakone, as well as festival events.
If you're interested in Hakone or planning to visit, please use this as a reference to enjoy the beautiful Hakone Fireworks displays.
Hakone is a Unique Tourist Destination with Fireworks Displays in Both Summer and Winter
In Japan, fireworks displays have traditionally been held in summer. Therefore, for many Japanese people, fireworks symbolize summer. Even now, major fireworks displays are mostly held during summer.
However, Hakone is a unique tourist destination where spectacular fireworks displays are also held in winter. As introduced later in this article, colorful fireworks light up the sky during Hakone Shrine's New Year Festival (January) and Setsubun Festival (February) nights.
Of course, magnificent fireworks displays that tourists can enjoy are also held in summer. You can observe Hakone Shrine's sacred traditional ceremonies along with the fireworks and participate in festivals with many food stalls.
The Most Famous Hakone Fireworks Display is the "Lake Ashinoko Summer Festival Week" Lasting About a Week
Hakone's most famous fireworks display is the "Lake Ashinoko Summer Festival Week" which begins on July 31st. Lake Ashinoko is a beautiful lake that symbolizes Hakone.
The Lake Ashinoko Summer Festival Week continues for about a week from July 31st to August 5th, featuring various events including traditional ceremonies at Hakone Shrine located on Lake Ashinoko.
During this period, spectacular Hakone Fireworks displays with numerous fireworks are held every night around 8:00 PM on the lake. It's a special week where you can participate in traditional shrine ceremonies and various fun events during the day and enjoy fireworks every night.
Explaining the Highlights of Lake Ashinoko Summer Festival Week by Date
From here, I will explain the highlights of the Lake Ashinoko Summer Festival Week Hakone Fireworks display day by day. Lake Ashinoko is a large lake, and the fireworks venue changes slightly each day. Please refer to the location information as well.
Lake Festival Fireworks Display (July 31st)
Source:Hakone Zenzan
The first day of the "Lake Ashinoko Summer Festival Week" features the annual Lake Festival Fireworks display.
As a night event of the Lake Festival held during the day, approximately 5,000 colorful fireworks are launched from Motohakone Bay on Lake Ashinoko.
The Lake Festival is an event paying tribute to Kuzuryu Myojin, the dragon deity enshrined at Hakone Shrine. The Hakone Fireworks on this day, which conclude various ceremonies held throughout the day, are characterized by their solemn and sacred atmosphere.
When I saw it, the silhouettes of the Hakone outer rim around Lake Ashinoko and the torii gate in the lake illuminated by the fireworks felt particularly beautiful.
Before the fireworks display, you can also observe a sacred ceremony where shrine priests board a boat and proceed to the lake to offer tributes to the dragon deity living in the lake. Let's enjoy the first day, which also features lantern floating and traditional dance performances, until the final fireworks.
<Information>
Date: July 31, 2025
Access: From "Hakone-Yumoto" Station, take the Hakone Tozan Bus (H line) to "Motohakone Port" bus stop → near Hakone Shrine (approx. 40 minutes)
Admission: Free
Website: https://hakonejinja.or.jp/hakone/celebration.html
Hakone Shrine Annual Festival Fireworks (August 1)
Source:Hakone Zenzan
On the second day of the "Lake Ashi Summer Festival Week," the Hakone Shrine Annual Festival is held. This festival is the biggest event of the year for Hakone Shrine. After the ceremony at the shrine, a fireworks display of approximately 2,500 fireworks illuminates Lake Ashi at night.
During this day's event, be sure to take in the spectacular beauty of the Hakone Fireworks reflecting on the lake's surface. The sight of radiant starburst fireworks illuminating the water, creating a magnificent collaboration with Hakone Shrine's torii gate, is absolutely unmissable.
The launch site is the same as the previous day, near Hakone Bay close to Hakone Shrine. There are no food stalls on this day, so when I visited, it wasn't very crowded and had a peaceful atmosphere. Take your time to appreciate the beauty of the fireworks.
Information:
- Date: August 1, 2025
- Access: From "Hakone-Yumoto" Station, take the Hakone Tozan Bus (H Line) to "Moto-Hakone Port" bus stop → Around Hakone Shrine (about 40 minutes)
- Admission: Free viewing
- Website: https://hakonejinja.or.jp/hakone/celebration.html
Hakone-en Summer Night Festival (August 2)
Source:Hakone Zenzan
On August 2, the Hakone-en Summer Night Festival will be held. Hakone-en is a leisure land located on the east side of Lake Ashi. It's a complex facility with restaurants and an aquarium where you can enjoy various activities. At the Summer Night Festival, 2,000 fireworks can be viewed from Hakone-en.
The recommended way to spend time at Hakone-en is to enjoy the activities to your heart's content during the day and then experience the Hakone Fireworks at night, making it a full day of fun. When I went last year, there were food and game stalls open in the evening, creating a festive atmosphere.
You can also view the fireworks from a sightseeing boat on the water. From the boat, you can clearly see the rapid-fire starburst fireworks reflected on Lake Ashi's surface. You'll surely feel a festive and vibrant mood perfect for this celebratory event.
The Hakone-en Summer Night Festival continues on August 3
On August 4, the Kojiri Dragon God Fireworks Festival of Kuzuryu Shrine Main Shrine will be held. Kuzuryu Shrine Main Shrine is located near Togen Port on Lake Ashi, in Kojiri Bay. After the shrine ceremony dedicated to the Dragon God during the day, 2,500 fireworks will be launched from 8:00 PM.
Compared to other days, the bay serving as the venue is smaller with mountains nearby, making the fireworks against the mountain backdrop extremely impressive. In Japan, fireworks are meant to be enjoyed with their sound as well. I also love the sound of fireworks, and here the sounds echo off the mountains, creating reverberations that were particularly memorable for me.
There are also food stalls in the venue area, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese summer festival. Let's enjoy the warm, traditional festival and fireworks held in this small village.
Information:
- Date: August 4, 2025
- Access: From "Hakone-Yumoto" Station, take the Hakone Tozan Bus (T Line) for about 41 minutes → Transfer at "Togendai" bus stop → Take the Odakyu Hakone Express Bus (W Line bound for Hakone-en) for about 4 minutes → Get off at "Hakone-en" bus stop → About 30 minutes on foot → Around Kojiri Bay
- Admission: Free viewing
- Website: https://www.hakone-ashinoko.net/special_page002.html#event_title005
Kojiri Dragon God Festival Fireworks (August 4)
Source:Hakone Zenzan
The Hakone-en Summer Night Festival continues on August 3, where you can enjoy fireworks again. On the 3rd, 2,000 fireworks will also be launched over Lake Ashi. There will be many food stalls on this day as well, so you can enjoy the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese festival.
Over these two days, a grassy area is open for viewing where you can sit on the pleasant lawn and watch the Hakone Fireworks. Last year, many people spread out leisure sheets, ate food purchased from stalls, and relaxed while watching the fireworks.
If you're visiting Hakone in summer, please come to Hakone-en where you can thoroughly enjoy both fireworks and leisure activities.
Information:
- Date: August 3, 2025
- Access: From Tokaido Shinkansen "Odawara" Station, take the Izu-Hakone Bus → Get off at "Hakone-en" Station (about 1 hour 20 minutes)
From Odakyu Romance Car "Hakone-Yumoto" Station, take the Izu-Hakone Bus → Get off at "Hakone-en" Station (about 1 hour 5 minutes)
- Admission: Free viewing (Paid seats available from 2,000 yen)
- Website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/amuse/hakone-en/
Torii Yaki Festival Fireworks Display (August 5th)
Source:Hakone Zenzan
On the final day of the Ashinoko Summer Festival Week, the Torii Yaki Festival and evening fireworks display take place. During the Torii Yaki Festival, daytime ceremonies are held at Komagata Shrine. A special torii gate is erected in Lake Ashinoko-Hakone Bay, and at night it is illuminated with fire. Against this glowing torii backdrop, 3,500 fireworks are launched into the sky.
The highlight of the Torii Yaki Festival Fireworks Display is undoubtedly the spectacular Hakone Fireworks shooting up against the backdrop of the divinely illuminated torii gate. These bonfires are dedicated to the dragon deity believed to dwell in Lake Ashinoko. Including the reflection of fire on the water's surface, these flames are considered sacred divine fire.
The torii gate gleaming with firelight creates a mystical atmosphere, and the fireworks dancing around it create a fantastical scene.
On the final day of the Summer Festival Week, be sure to enjoy the Torii Yaki Festival fireworks and burn this uniquely Japanese beautiful spectacle into your memory.
<Information>
Date: August 5, 2025
Access: From "Hakone-Yumoto" Station, take the Hakone Tozan Bus (H Line) to "Moto-Hakone Port" bus stop → Around Hakone Shrine (about 40 minutes)
Admission: Free viewing
Website: https://www.hakonenavi.jp/spot/1391
In 2024, a Fireworks Cruise was held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Hakone Pirate Ship
Source:PR TIMES
One of Lake Ashinoko's popular leisure activities is the Pirate Ship Cruise, enjoying the lake and scenery aboard a pirate-themed sightseeing boat. The Hakone Pirate Ship, which is very popular with children, celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024.
During last year's anniversary celebration, a special fireworks cruise was held during the Ashinoko Summer Festival Week period.
Visitors could enjoy the powerful Hakone Fireworks display from the ship's deck or cool cabin. During the event period, there were also special services such as half-price tickets for children.
While details for the 2025 fireworks cruise are undetermined, fireworks cruises are also held during special winter events such as the New Year Festival and Setsubun Festival. It seems likely that cruises will operate in summer 2025 as well. If you're interested, please check the official website and social media for updates.
<Information>
Date: July 31-August 5, 2024 (excluding August 3) (2025 operation undetermined)
Access: From Hakone-Yumoto Station, take the Hakone Tozan Bus (H Line) for about 32 minutes to "Moto-Hakone Port" bus stop → 2-minute walk → Moto-Hakone Port
Admission: Adults 3,100 yen, Children 780 yen (prices may vary by date)
Website: https://www.hakonenavi.jp/topic/11180/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hakonenavi/?hl=ja
The Daimonji Bonfire of Hakone Goura Hot Springs: A Summer Tradition in Hakone!
Source:Hakone Zenzan
The Goura area in Hakone features a traditional mountain fire display called Daimonji, where characters are drawn with flames on the mountainside. The Daimonji bonfire is one of the traditional ceremonies of Obon, a ritual observed during Japanese summers. In Hakone, this beautiful Daimonji bonfire tradition has continued for 100 years and has become a characteristic summer event in Hakone.
The highlight of the Goura Hot Springs Daimonji bonfire is experiencing the mystical ceremonies of Obon, one of Japan's major summer events. Obon is a period when ancestral spirits are believed to return to this world during summer. The Daimonji bonfire, where characters are drawn with torches on mountains, is a custom practiced throughout Japan to send ancestral spirits back to the afterworld.
Approximately 300 torches are used on Mt. Myojogatake in Goura to draw the Chinese character "大" (dai), which means "big." As each torch is lit one by one, slowly forming the character, you'll feel a touching beauty that resonates deeply. The Hakone Fireworks are also launched together with this display, creating a spectacular climax. Viewing from Hakone Goura Park, a natural park in the Goura area, is especially recommended as it offers a beautiful view of both the Daimonji bonfire and the Hakone Fireworks.
<Information>
Date: Usually around August 18th (2025 date to be determined)
Access: From Hakone-Yumoto Station, take the mountain railway to Goura Hot Springs (about 35 minutes)
Admission: Free viewing
Website: https://www.hakone.or.jp/8303
Two Unique Winter Fireworks Festivals
In Japan, fireworks are typically considered a symbol of summer, but Hakone Shrine at Lake Ashi hosts rare winter Hakone Fireworks displays. Here are introductions to the New Year's celebration fireworks held on January 1st and the February fireworks festival.
Hakone Shrine New Year's Celebration Fireworks
Source:Hakone Navi
At Hakone Shrine, magnificent fireworks are launched to celebrate the New Year. From December 31st to January 1st, New Year's Eve ceremonies are held at Hakone Shrine. At midnight on January 1st, the moment the year changes, the Hakone Fireworks light up the sky to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.
The highlight of this event is the opportunity to enjoy Japan's traditional New Year's custom of "Hatsumode" (first shrine visit) together with fireworks. In Japan, many people visit shrines for their first shrine visit of the year from late night on December 31st to the morning of January 1st. Being able to see fireworks during Hatsumode is rare nationwide, making this a special experience unique to Hakone.
If you're visiting Hakone in winter, why not experience Japanese Hatsumode at Hakone Shrine and enjoy the Hakone Fireworks at the same time?
<Information>
Date: Usually January 1st
Access: From Hakone-Yumoto Station, take the Hakone Tozan Bus (H line) to "Hakone Shrine Entrance" bus stop → 15-minute walk to Hakone Shrine (about 50 minutes total)
Admission: Free viewing
Website: https://hakonejinja.or.jp/hakone/celebration.html
Setsubun Festival Celebration Fireworks
Source:PR TIMES
A fireworks festival is also held at Hakone Shrine in early February during the Setsubun Festival. Setsubun is a traditional Japanese event that marks the arrival of spring according to the old calendar. As an eve celebration of the Setsubun Festival, which is usually held around February 3rd at Hakone Shrine, Hakone Fireworks are launched the night before.
The highlight of the Setsubun Festival Celebration Fireworks is the vivid and beautiful fireworks unique to winter. In the clear winter air, the colors of the Hakone Fireworks appear more vibrant and distinct than in summer. In Japan, fireworks are considered works of art, crafted with meticulous attention to quality by skilled artisans.
This event allows you to fully enjoy the beautiful colors and precisely calculated shapes of these high-quality Hakone Fireworks in the quiet winter atmosphere of Hakone.
Winter in Hakone is the perfect season to enjoy its famous hot springs. Why not experience the beautiful winter Hakone Fireworks as well?
<Information>
Date: Usually February 2nd (may vary by year)
Access: From Hakone-Yumoto Station, take the Hakone Tozan Bus (H line) to "Moto-Hakone Port" bus stop → Hakone Shrine area (about 40 minutes)
Admission: Free viewing
Website: https://hakonejinja.or.jp/hakone/setsubun.html
https://www.hakone-ashinoko.net/special_page008.html