See how the sparkle of traditional Japanese fireworks is made at one of the only Hokkaido firework factories with over 100 years of history
1.5 hour private experience
Location: Kita-Hiroshima, Hokkaido
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
Meet the master
What you’ll do
Visit one of the only firework factories operating in Hokkaido. Observe how traditional Japanese fireworks are constructed by the artisans. Assist in a part of the firework production process, done nearly entirely by hand by craftspeople.
Who can attend
Children must be 10+
Availability
Monday to Friday
Session 1 (10:00-11:30)
Session 2 (13:30-15:00)
Not available on holidays, and no July, August, or September (due to busy seasons)
Access
45 minutes by car from JR Sapporo Station, 45 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport
Things to Note
No open flames are allowed. All guests must priotize safety on site due to the handling of hazardous materials.
Photography is permitted but uploading to social media is not allowed (due to anti-terrorism measures and protection of trade secrets)
Bright, Bursting Beauty
Every year in Japan, hundreds of firework shows light up the skies in a glittering, deafening array of color and shine. Fireworks, called hanabi, or flower fire in Japanese, are a tradition beloved in Japan since the Edo Period. As an era of peace following centuries of turmoil and war, the gunpowder once used to fuel battle was utilized instead for these vibrant nighttime displays, cementing fireworks as a cultural cornerstone in Japan, when they were used to ward off malignant spirits, and later, for seasons of celebration. While Hokkaido and main-island Japan have not always shared similar historical periods or societal structures, the deep appreciation of fireworks is now a staple at both Sapporo festivals and other celebrations across Japan's most northern region. Crafting these elegant explosives takes both precision and patience; finishing a single firework from start to finish can take up to 3 days, while a deviation of just 1 centimeter in the device can result in an error of up to 1 meter when launched in the air. Unlike Western fireworks, which are most commonly canister-shaped, Japanese fireworks are ball-shaped, filled with individual pods of powder, each possessing a different color or effect. As one of only four firework manufacturing workshops across all of Hokkaido, this studio of craftspeople operates to keep this bright, dazzling tradition alive for future festival-goers and firework fans alike.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 21 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
