Reservations are now open for a cruise to watch the Chuo City 80th Anniversary and Minato City 80th Anniversary Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Festival from the water. The festival will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, for the first time in 11 years, and the cruise is operated by TOKYO WATERWAYS, a river cruise operator based in Sumida, Tokyo.
The cruise has secured the right to view the festival from the water and will sail aboard WATERWAYS Ⅰ, an open-deck boat with no roof. The fare is normally ¥35,000, but a last-minute discount brings it down to ¥27,500 (¥7,500 off, about 21% off).
Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Festival Returns After 11 Years
The Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Festival began in 1988 and has long been loved as one of Tokyo's signature fireworks displays. The 2015 edition was the last, after which the festival was suspended in connection with the development of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic athletes' village. In 2026 it returns after 11 years as a commemorative project for the 80th anniversaries of Chuo City and Minato City.
The opening features a simultaneous launch of crown-type fireworks using shakudama and shaku-gosun-dama shells. Willow-like trails of light spread wide as if wrapping around Tokyo Port, coloring the night sky in an instant. The fireworks are launched from the sea off Harumi Pier, with about 12,000 shells going up.
This year's festival is fully ticketed, and viewing from sidewalks and similar spots is not allowed. This cruise offers a way to watch the same fireworks from out on the sea.
Highlights of This Plan
1. An Unobstructed View From an Open-Deck Boat With No Roof
WATERWAYS Ⅰ is an open-deck catamaran (twin-hull) boat built to withstand rocking. The 360-degree panoramic view takes in the fireworks spreading across the night sky and the light reflected on the water.
2. Bring Your Own Food and Drink
Passengers can bring any drinks and food they like. Until the launch begins, they can spend the time on board in whatever style they prefer.
3. A Last-Minute Fare of ¥27,500
The fare is ¥27,500 (¥7,500 off, about 21% off) instead of the usual ¥35,000. The plan is for adults (ages 13 and older).
About the Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Festival
The official name is the "Chuo City 80th Anniversary and Minato City 80th Anniversary Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Festival." It is organized by the Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Festival Executive Committee, Chuo City, and Minato City. The festival runs from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM on Saturday, October 24, 2026. It will be canceled in the event of severe weather, with no postponement. For details on the festival, see the official website (https://tokyo-hanabi-festival.com).
Cruise Details
- Date and time: Saturday, October 24, 2026, 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM (fireworks launch time). If the festival is canceled due to severe weather or similar, it will not be postponed to the following day.
- Venue: Along the Harumi Pier waterfront (paid viewing area E)
- Vessel: WATERWAYS Ⅰ (no roof)
- Boarding and disembarking: Board at 高橋船着場 and disembark at Nihonbashi Pier
- Departure and return: Departs at 3:15 PM and returns around 8:00 PM (please arrive 20 minutes before departure)
- Number of shells: About 12,000
- Plan contents: Cruise fare only (bringing your own food and drink is allowed)
- Fare: Adults (ages 13 and older), normally ¥35,000, now ¥27,500 (tax included, ¥7,500 off, about 21% off)
- Eligible ages: 13 and older. Because the cruise is long, elementary school children and younger cannot board.
- Reservations: Reservation page
Important Notes
Because this plan uses a special last-minute price, cancellations for personal reasons after booking incur a 100% cancellation fee. Please keep this in mind when booking.
- Meeting time: Please arrive 20 minutes before departure. Passengers who arrive late cannot board and cannot be refunded.
- Waiting time: The boat enters the viewing area shortly after 4:00 PM, so passengers wait on board for 1.5 hours or more until the fireworks begin at 5:30 PM.
- Weather: Because the boat is an open-deck vessel with no roof, bring a raincoat and towels. The cruise operates even in the rain. Umbrellas (including parasols) cannot be used while the boat is moving.
- Boarding: Except in an emergency, passengers cannot disembark partway through the cruise. Suitcases and pets cannot be brought on board. There is no dedicated parking lot.
- Refunds if the festival is canceled: The festival will not be postponed to the following day if it is canceled due to severe weather or similar. If the cancellation is announced before departure, the fare is fully refunded. If the festival is canceled after departure and not a single shell is launched, 60% (¥16,500) is refunded. If it is canceled partway through after the launches have started, no refund is given.
Reserve here: Reservation page
