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Fireworks · Chubu & Hokuriku

Nagaoka Festival Fireworks

Nagaoka, Niigata🎆 Every year on August 2 and 3 (August 2 (Sun) and 3 (Mon), 2026)
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Overview

Overview

One of Japan's most famous fireworks festivals, held every year on August 2 and 3 on the Shinano River riverbed in Nagaoka, Niigata. Highlights include the Shosanjakudama, a giant shell that opens to about 650 m in diameter, and the Phoenix fireworks praying for recovery, which spread across about 2 km. All seats are paid, so you need to buy tickets in advance to watch.

The program centers on the Shosanjakudama, the Phoenix fireworks praying for recovery and large star mines. The number and content of the launches are almost the same on August 2 and 3, so you can enjoy the show on either day.

Venue
Shinano River riverbed (downstream of Chosei Bridge. Venue A: right bank, Nagaoka Station side; Venue B: left bank, Nagaoka IC side)
Official website
https://nagaokamatsuri.com/
When

When it’s held

Typical date
Every year on August 2 and 3 (August 2 (Sun) and 3 (Mon), 2026)
Time
19:20–21:25 (2026 example; both days)
In bad weather
Held in rain. Postponed or canceled if heavy rain raises the Shinano River or in typhoon-level winds; decided around 7:00 on the morning of the day

Dates and times change every year. Always check the organizer’s official website for the latest information.

☁ Weather in August →
Where to Watch

Where to watch

📍 Venue A (right bank, Nagaoka Station side)

About a 30-minute walk from Nagaoka Station. Seat types include Phoenix seats and Sanjakudama seats.

📍 Venue B (left bank, Nagaoka IC side)

Box seats, athletic stadium chair seats, area seats and more. After getting off the shuttle bus, about a 30-minute walk to the South Area and about 1 hour to the North Area.

📍 Yakatabune boats (on-board sajiki seats)

Viewing from yakatabune boats on the Shinano River at Venue A. Reservations are handled by the Nagaoka Festival Yakatabune Council office.

Paid Seats

Paid viewing seats

All seats are paid; there are no free seats and no same-day tickets. Box seats, chair seats, bench seats, table seats, area seats and more are sold by the Nagaoka Fireworks Ticket Center. General sales are by lottery (results notified by email, payment by credit card only). Tickets are issued in the holder's name, and one ticket is required per person for elementary school age and older

Example prices: Venue A box seat (6 people) ¥32,000, Venue B box seat (6 people) ¥30,000, chair seat ¥5,000, area seat ¥2,000–4,000 (2026 general sale price examples)

Crowds

Crowds and getting home

Crowds
There are no route buses on the way back and taxis are hard to find, so many people walk to Nagaoka Station. The Nagaoka IC area is heavily congested before and after the event, and the return trip has taken several hours in some cases. Ote Bridge and Chosei Bridge are closed even to pedestrians at certain times on the night
Tips
It is recommended to choose your viewing spot based on how you are getting there. If driving, avoid the Nagaoka IC area and use the other ICs indicated. Toilets and food stands get very crowded just before the launch, so go early. Hotels in Nagaoka are almost fully booked 2–3 months ahead
Rules

Venue rules

  • !People without tickets cannot enter the venue
  • !Large chairs and tables are not allowed
  • !Pets are not allowed in the venue (including on the embankment)
  • !No smoking in any seating area
  • !Tripods must be no higher than eye level, and shooting from aisles or other people's seats is prohibited
  • !Reselling tickets or listing them on flea market sites is prohibited
Tips

Good to know

  • ✓The official app (free) shows the day's program, traffic congestion information and public transport timetables
  • ✓Mobile phone connections become unreliable, so decide on a meeting place in advance
  • ✓Ash and dye from the fireworks may fall, so wear clothes you do not mind getting dirty
  • ✓Parasols and tents can be set up within your own viewing area until 17:00 on the day
Access

Access

Nearest station
  • Nagaoka Station (JR Joetsu Shinkansen and Shin'etsu Main Line)About a 30-minute walk to Venue A (longer when crowded)Crowd control on the way back can make it take over an hour. Entry to Nagaoka Station is by queue
Open in Google Maps ↗
Travel Passes

Travel passes for getting there

🚄 JR

JR EAST PASS

Tohoku ・ 5 or 10 consecutive days from the first day of use

From ¥35,000

🏨 Hotels nearby fill up quickly on festival days. Book early.

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Nagaoka Festival FireworksPR

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Fireworks

Fireworks festivals in Chubu & Hokuriku

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Typical dates, number of shells, paid seats and venues are based on official information from organizers, municipalities and tourism associations. Events can change or be cancelled, so check the official website before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-09

PRKlookJR EAST PASS (JR East unlimited-ride pass)A JR East unlimited-ride pass you can use to get to Nagaoka Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen. Lets you travel around the Tohoku, Nagano and Niigata areas.View