Tachikawa Mayor Hiroshi Sakai and several Tokyo wards are experimentally permitting handheld fireworks in select parks during the summer [1, 2].
This shift represents a departure from strict urban fire safety regulations to provide families with safe, designated environments for traditional summer activities. By controlling where and when fireworks are used, officials aim to balance public recreation with the need to prevent neighborhood disputes over smoke and noise [2, 3].
Mayor Sakai said he wants to create an environment where people can enjoy handheld fireworks in city parks during the summer period [1]. The initiative is being implemented in Tachikawa city parks and across four Tokyo wards, including Minato, Chiyoda, Chuo, and Shibuya [2].
Local residents have expressed support for the move. One Tachikawa resident said it is very good if people can do handheld fireworks with children in a place close to home [1].
Implementation details vary by location. Some areas are treating the move as a temporary experiment for the current summer, while others have framed it as a specific summer vacation limited event [1, 2]. There is also a discrepancy regarding access; some locations may require reservations, while other reports suggest the areas are open to anyone without a booking [1, 2].
Officials said that handheld fireworks are generally preferred for these zones because they produce less smoke and are easier to manage in a way that considers the needs of neighbors [2]. This effort follows a period of significant heat, with 441 locations nationwide recording summer days of 25 degrees Celsius or higher [1].
““I want to create an environment where people can enjoy handheld fireworks in city parks during the summer period,” said Mayor Hiroshi Sakai.”
The decision to relax firework bans reflects a growing effort by urban Japanese administrators to reclaim public spaces for traditional cultural practices. By moving from a blanket ban to a regulated, experimental model, these cities are testing whether structured access—such as reservation systems and designated zones—can mitigate the safety and nuisance risks typically associated with fireworks in densely populated metropolitan areas.
