
Experience the thrill of being an action movie star while posing in front of professionally controlled explosions.
On April 28, the third annual Baku [Explosion] Festival (爆フェス) will take place in Hitachiomiya City, Ibaraki Prefecture, in a quarry often used as a set location for movies, TV shows, and music videos. The experience is sure to feel like a dream come true for anyone who spent their childhoods pretending to be superheroes in a tokusatsu special effects movie.
▼ The quarry in Ibaraki where the festival will take place
Japanese special effects company Skytech, also from Ibaraki Prefecture, is organizing the event with special attention to safety and detail. Its main draw is the opportunity to take photos in front of two types of detonations–a napalm explosion that makes a big boom and a cement explosion that fans flames and dust over a wide area.
▼ Fiery scenes from the Baku Festival last year
It’s also the perfect chance to don costumes or cosplays while posing for a variety of purposes. Please note that participants are in charge of bringing their own camera equipment or hiring professional photographers to document the experience.
▼ For instance–not a bad promotional image for a YouTuber!
The day will feature a number of timeslots for different parties between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Each slot costs 30,000 yen (US$194) for up to two people. If each person pays an additional 10,000 yen, the timeslot can include up to five people instead.
There will also be freestyle motocross shows on the day of the event. For anyone who just wants to watch those without taking their own exploding action-shot photos, the admission fee is 2,200 yen.
For some inspiration of what characters or poses you might want to try making in front of the flames, see this piece on a similar past event in Tochigi Prefecture.
Source: Baku Festival via Mainichi Shimbun
Top image: Baku Festival
Images: Baku Festival
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!



Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Typhoon destroys real Ghost of Tsushima island shrine torii gate, crowdfunding campaign launched
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Typhoon destroys real Ghost of Tsushima island shrine torii gate, crowdfunding campaign launched
Evangelion original anime studio Gainax is now completely dissolved, Eva’s creator mourns ruined friendships
“Flat Takoyaki” at Nanpuu reimagines Japanese street food
Family Mart goes matcha crazy with new lineup of green tea sweets in Japan
Amazon Japan makes payment policy change that could be a problem for foreigners in Japan
Love Sugar Butter Sandwich Trees? There’s a flavor limited to Haneda Airport that you must try!
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Evangelion original anime studio Gainax is now completely dissolved, Eva’s creator mourns ruined friendships
“Flat Takoyaki” at Nanpuu reimagines Japanese street food
Family Mart goes matcha crazy with new lineup of green tea sweets in Japan
Amazon Japan makes payment policy change that could be a problem for foreigners in Japan
Love Sugar Butter Sandwich Trees? There’s a flavor limited to Haneda Airport that you must try!
How to do an overnight bus trip to Tokushima from Tokyo – Part 1【Photos】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Interview with a “happening bar” customer: “I was getting repulsed by the whole atmosphere”
Nintendo announces new Pokémon cloud-based storage service, X&Y-themed 3DSXL
We make Red Bull chicken wings
Leave a Reply