Thousands of Fireworks Burst Over Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo Bay

Fireworks exploded over Tokyo Bay on Saturday, October 24, as the Tokyo Bay Grand Fireworks Festival returned for the first time in 11 years despite steady light rain.

X user Toraimu filmed the opening minutes of the show, as red, green and gold shells burst in a hazy, wet sky behind the illuminated Rainbow Bridge and thick smoke drifted over the water between volleys.

About 12,000 fireworks were launched from the water off Harumi Pier between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Organisers confirmed that morning that the event would go ahead as planned, and umbrellas were banned at viewing areas, with spectators told to wear raincoats instead.

The festival, co-hosted by Tokyo’s Chuo and Minato wards to mark their 80th anniversaries, had been on hold since 2015, partly because its main viewing area at Harumi was used to build the athletes’ village for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. About 110,000 ticket holders attended.

The event was also moved from its traditional August date to October to avoid extreme heat and sudden downpours.