Tonsuibashi Fireworks Festival Oct 31: 5,500 Shells, Seats and Where to Watch

Three municipalities on either side of the Tone River are putting on a joint fireworks show on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The Reiwa 8 Tonsuibashi Fireworks Festival (令和８年度刀水橋花火大会) is organised by Ota City and Oizumi Town on the Gunma side and Kumagaya City on the Saitama side, and roughly 5,500 shells go up in a 40-minute show timed to music. Below: when and where, the two places you can watch from, the paid seats (on sale until October 30), and what to know before you go.

Date, time and venue at a glance

The show is short and starts early, so plan to be in place before 6:00 p.m. If the weather turns stormy, the festival is cancelled rather than postponed, according to the announcement.

The festival is a joint effort by the two cities and one town that face each other across the Tonsuibashi bridge. Its stated aim is to bring people together across the prefectural border and boost the local community. If you are hunting for more autumn outings, our guides to the Setagaya Tamagawa Fireworks and the Musashino Art University Festival cover two more weekend options.

Where to watch: Gunma side or Saitama side

The organisers list two viewing areas, one on each bank of the Tone River. Pick based on which side you are coming from.

Paid seats: A seats for ¥5,000

This year the organisers are selling paid seats so people can watch in more comfort. Sales are first come, first served and run from Friday, September 18 to Friday, October 30, 2026 (the day before the show).

The ¥5,000 covers one sheet, not one person. How many people can share a sheet is not stated, so check the sales page if you are going as a group. Information is current as of October 23, 2026.

Before you go: traffic, smoking and getting there

• Road closures: traffic restrictions and no-entry zones will be in place on the Tonsuibashi footbridge and the roads around the bridge.
• No smoking: the entire venue is non-smoking.
• Parking: neither A seats nor donations come with parking. The announcement does not mention general parking, so check the official page before driving.
• By train: Ota Station is about an hour and a half from Asakusa or Kita-Senju on Tobu’s Ryomo and Revaty Ryomo limited express trains. How to get from the station to the riverside is not covered in the announcement, so look it up on the official page.

Night shots of fireworks drain a phone battery fast. If you are in Japan without a docomo line, our guide to free ChargeSPOT power bank rentals with d VALUE PASS explains a way to keep charged on the go. For a lower-key outing in Tokyo, the Shibaura Canal Festival guide is another option.

Supporting the festival with a donation

The organising committee is asking for donations to make the show better. It is a two-step process: fill in the form first, then send the money.

1. Enter your details on the donation form (Japanese).
2. Transfer your donation to the account below.

You can also donate in cash at the Tourism Promotion Division counter on the 5th floor of Ota City Hall’s main building. Donations cannot be refunded, and donating does not secure a parking space.

Contacts

The festival office is shared by the three municipalities. Any of these numbers will reach the executive committee office (inquiries are likely to be handled in Japanese).

FAQ

Q. When is the Tonsuibashi Fireworks Festival?

Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 6:40 p.m. It is cancelled in stormy weather.

Q. Where can I watch the fireworks?

Two viewing areas are listed: Tone River Riverside Tone Undojo in Sengoku, Oizumi, Gunma, and part of the cycling road on the Tone River embankment in Menuma, Kumagaya, Saitama.

Q. How much are the paid seats?

A seats cost ¥5,000 for one 170×170 blue sheet. They are sold first come, first served until October 30, 2026. S seats with chairs and a table have sold out.

Q. Do paid seats include parking?

No. A seats do not come with a dedicated parking space, and making a donation does not secure parking either.

Q. Can I smoke at the venue?

No. The whole venue is non-smoking.

Q. How many fireworks are launched?

About 5,500 shells, fired in time with music.

Source: the festival announcement issued by Ota City, Gunma on October 22, 2026 (press release). Plans can change, so check the official festival page before you go.