The Hanno Fireworks Festival almost always coincides with the grander, more extravagant festivals in nearby Ome and Sayama, but we always opt to go to the Hanno one. There are only about 1,000 fireworks within the one hour show, which seems like almost nothing compared to the 20,000 set off at others. But we love it precisely because it is a smaller festival and it feels more intimate and less crowded. The audience sit on the wood deck by the riverbed and everyone is practically guaranteed an unobstructed view. The fireworks display is backdropped by the red Wariiwa Bridge and the Tenran mountains. One of the highlights of the show are the fireworks set to dramatic music, made more powerful by the shimmering colors that are right in front of you, almost as if they were exclusively for you.
Getting there
There are no designated parking spots for this event. Most of the people come by train or by walking. The nearest station, Hanno Station (Seibu Ikebukuro and Seibu Chichibu Lines), is a 15-minute walk away.
Sherilyn Siy @sherilyn.siy
For Sherilyn Siy, Asia is home. Born in Hong Kong, Sherilyn spent time in the Philippines, China, and now lives in Japan. She speaks English, Filipino, Chinese (or putonghua), and Hokkien, her family's local dialect. Running is one of her favorite ways to explore Japan. She proudly finished the 2...
