Have you ever experienced fireworks displays, one of Japan's world-class cultural events? These displays occur not only in summer but also in other seasons. Why not consider visiting a fireworks festival during your trip to Japan?
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National Fireworks Competition: Omagari Fireworks in Daisen City, Akita
The Omagari Fireworks Festival is the Japanese greatest fireworks festival, attracting more than 600,000 people every year. It began in 1910 as a sideshow for shrine celebrations and has a history of more than 100 years. In addition to summer, It is held four times a year, in spring, autumn, and winter, and you can enjoy a different theme in each.
General Information
Venue: Omagarifunabacho, Daisen, Akita 014-0057, Japan
Dates: 2024 August 31 (Every year on the last Saturday of August)
Time: TBD
Number of launches: Approx. 18,000
Launch time: Approx. 240 minutes
Paid bleachers ticket: ￥7000 ~
Sales period (Japan time):
Primary sale: June 10, Reiwa 6 (Mon) 10:00 - June 20 (Thu) 23:59
Second sale: Tuesday, July 16, Reiwa 6, 10:00 - Wednesday, July 31, 23:59
Sales method: First-come, first-served sales via online reception
Official Website: Omagari Fireworks Official Website (Japanese)
Attention
- The surrounding roads will be crowded from the morning of the fireworks display to the dawn of the next day, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time.
- In rainy weather, raincoats and rain boots are essential. The venue can be very crowded, so don't use umbrellas.
- After the fireworks display, it gets so crowded that it takes more than 10 minutes to walk 100 meters. If you are using a stroller or wheelchair, it is safer to shift your return time a little.
- Temporary garbage collection points (trash cans, etc.) will be set up in various places around the viewing area. Do not leave your trash unattended or take it home, but dispose of it at a nearby garbage dump. Also, don't forget to separate your trash.
- Don't go into areas with prohibition signs. You cannot enter private property, the area around the fireworks launch site, or dangerous areas where hair mites (which can kill you if treatment is delayed) live.
- At night, the wind from the river can make it chilly, so it is useful to have long sleeves or a nylon jacket.
Tsuchiura National Fireworks Festival in Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki
The Tsuchiura fireworks festival began in 1925 and its attraction is the rapid fire of fireworks, called the Star Mine. This fireworks festival is said to be the tournament to decide the "No. 1 Star Mine in Japan", and it is a masterpiece to see hundreds of fireworks carefully made by fireworks artists launched at the perfect timing. In addition, the Prime Minister's Prize is awarded to the most outstanding fireworks artist among the winners of the three categories. This award is given only to the Tsuchiura and Omagari fireworks festivals among the many fireworks festivals, and it is a goal for fireworks artists nationwide.
General Information
Venue: 13 Sanoko, Tsuchiura, Ibaraki 300-0803, Japan
Dates: 2024 November 2nd (every year on the First Saturday of November)
Time: TBD
Number of launches: Approx. 20,000
Paid bleachers ticket: ￥3000 ~
Sales period (Japan time): TBD
Sales method: TBD
Official Website: Tsutiura Fireworks Festival Official Website (Japanese)
Attention
- Please leave your trash in the designated garbage storage area at the venue
- The venue is non-smoking
- You must not take photographs in aisles or areas other than your seat
- There is no toilet paper in the temporary toilets at the venue and in the surrounding area, so please prepare your own before using it
Nagaoka Festival Fireworks Festival in Nagaoka City, Niigata
Nagaoka's fireworks festival is famous for its huge fireworks with a diameter of about 650 meters and attracts more than 1 million people every year over two days.
The origin of the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is the Nagaoka Reconstruction Festival, which began the year after the Nagaoka air raid that occurred in 1945. At the same time where Nagaoka Air Raid started (10:30 p.m. on August 1), three all-white fireworks will be launched to commemorate those who died in the air raids, to express gratitude to those who worked hard for reconstruction, and to wish for lasting peace, and a memorial bell will be rung at the same time at the city's temples.
General Information
Venue: Shinano, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-0098, Japan
Dates: August 2nd and 3rd every year
Time: From 7:20 p.m. to 9:10 p.m. on both days
Number of launches: Approx. 20,000 in two days
Paid bleachers ticket: ￥2000 ~
Sales period (Japan time): May 27 ~ June 7
Sales method: lottery sales via Nagaoka Fireworks Tickets
Official Website: Nagaoka Festival Fireworks Festival Official Website (Japanese)
Attention
- The area around the venue is very crowded. Please allow plenty of time.
- There are no free seats in the venue, so you cannot enter without a ticket.
- Please do not leave trash or blue sheets at the venue, but take them home.
- All seats at the fireworks venue are non-smoking.
- You cannot bring in chairs and tables
Bring a penlight
One of the best parts of Nagaoka fireworks is the message of light. Its purpose is to express gratitude to fireworks artists and sponsors with a penlight or other glowing objects along with the announcement at the venue. However, Do not use laser pointers or other objects that generate laser beams.