Tomo Bentenjima Fireworks Festival

Tomo Bentenjima Fireworks Festival in the quaint port town of Tomonoura kicks off the summer’s fireworks festivals in the Chugoku region. 90min of fireworks over the water silhouetting picturesque Benten Island.

Event Schedule

19:00 Aya Bushi Dance Performance

As Tomonoura flourished as a port of call for Kitamae-bune trading ships ships in the 18th century), it became not only a place where good would be exchanged, but a crossroads of the various regional cultures of seafarers, who would spend tim in the port while they waited for favorable tide. These elements fused with Haiya-style songs, and the art form was initially enjoyed as Niwaka Odori, a dance without set choreography. The Tomonoura Aiya-bushi Preservation Society was established in 1964 and developed and a unified, accessible set of choreography. The inclusion of local place names and specialties of Tomonoura in lyrics, has made it a symbol of the region.

19:30-20:30 Fireworks Display

2,000 fireworks explode in the bay over the course of one hour with Benten Island as a picturesque backdrop.

Getting there

There is no parking available near the venue on the day of the event. Using public transport is strongly recommended.

Tomotetsu Bus Tomo Line
From Fukuyama Station (South Exit) Bus Stop #5 – approximately 30 minutes.
*On the day of the fireworks, the bus will start and stop at Tomo Bus Depot from around 15:00.
Arrival times may be delayed due to traffic conditions.

Shuttle Bus

Miroku-no-Sato Parking Lot (Free) ~ Miroku-no-Sato Shuttle Bus Stop (Disaster Prevention Plaza) (15-minute walk to the venue)
1,500 yen per person (Please pay in cash on-site on the day)
*Free for preschool children
*Shuttle bus service starts at 16:30.
*Parking is limited. Please note that you will not be able to park if the parking lot is full.

Parking Information
Parking is limited and requires advance reservation.
Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis and a cooperation fee of 3,500 yen per vehicle is required (advance payment).
*Details about traffic restrictions and reserved parking can be found here in Japanese.
*Reservations are not required for the Miroku-no-Sato parking lot.

Photo: Hiroshima Prefecture