Fireworks · Kansai
Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival
Otsu, Shiga🎆 Early August (held on Thursday, August 6 in 2026)About 12,000 shells (2026, official)
Overview
Overview
Shiga Prefecture’s signature summer fireworks festival, launched off Otsu Port on Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake. Launched from the open lake with nothing in the way, it is easy to see from anywhere along the shore. The venue is about 5 min on foot from Keihan Biwako-hamaotsu Station and about 15 min on foot from JR Otsu Station.
Launched from the lake between Otsu Port and Biwako Hall. The 40th anniversary festival in 2026 featured fireworks performed with lasers and drones, and a finale of underwater star mines spreading across the lake surface and night sky. Shells up to No. 10 (shakudama).
- Venue
- The water off Otsu Port (the Lake Biwa shore around Otsu Port, Nagisa Park and more)
- Visitors
- About 340,000 (2025, organizer’s figure)
- Official website
- https://www.biwako-visitors.jp/hanabi/
- Japan Events & Festivals
- See the event guide →
Tickets & tours you can book in advancePR
When
When it’s held
- Typical date
- Early August (held on Thursday, August 6 in 2026)
- Time
- 19:30–20:30 (2026 example)
- Number of shells
- About 12,000 shells (2026, official)
- In bad weather
- Held in light rain; cancelled in bad weather with no postponement or backup date. If cancelled, announced on the official website and X from 10:00 on the day (according to official information)
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
📍 Paid viewing seats (lakeshore around Otsu Port)
The best spot, with the fireworks spreading right in front of you. Entry planned from 17:00 (2026 example)
📍 Lakeshore around Otsu Port, including Nagisa Park
Nothing blocks the view along the shore, so it is easy to see from anywhere (official)
Paid Seats
Paid viewing seats
Chair seats, folding-stool seats, reserved camera seats (tripods allowed), wheelchair and companion areas and more. Advance lottery and general sale on the official ticket site (general sale from May 23 in 2026). No phone orders, up to 8 tickets per person, and applications required for ages 3 and up. Same-day sales if seats remain
Example prices: From ¥7,500 per person for a chair seat to ¥70,000 for a 5-person folding-stool seat (2026 example, planned prices)
Crowds
Crowds and getting home
- Crowds
- The area around the venue is very crowded from 18:00 (official)
- Tips
- Allow plenty of time to arrive. Transport IC cards are convenient (official)
Rules
Venue rules
- !Cancelled if launching is judged dangerous due to advisories or warnings for heavy rain, strong winds, lightning and similar
Tips
Good to know
- ✓From Kyoto Station, take the JR Biwako Line to Otsu Station. Check your ticket for the nearest station to your paid seat
- ✓Entry to paid viewing seats planned from 17:00 (2026 example)
Access
Access
- Nearest station
- Biwako-hamaotsu Station (Keihan Railway)About 5 min on foot
- Otsu Station (JR Biwako Line)About 15 min on footThe nearest station differs by paid seat location, so check your ticket
Getting There
Getting there from major cities
🏨 Hotels nearby fill up quickly on festival days. Book early.
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Lake Biwa Fireworks FestivalPR
PR8.7びわ湖大津プリンスホテル
★★★★★Check rates on Agoda8,609 reviews2.1 km from center
PR9.0琵琶湖ホテル
★★★★Check rates on Agoda4,292 reviews0.2 km from center
PR8.3カレンダーホテル
★★Check rates on Agoda1,804 reviews0.7 km from center
PR7.9東横INN京都琵琶湖大津
★★★Check rates on Agoda772 reviews0.4 km from center
PR7.5ホテルテトラ大津 京都
★★★Check rates on Agoda1,061 reviews0.8 km from center
PR8.4ホテル ピアザびわ湖
★★★Check rates on Agoda246 reviews1.1 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Fireworks
Fireworks festivals in Kansai
🎆 AugustKumano Fireworks Festival
Kansai ・ Kumano, Mie
🎆 August 17 every year
About 10,000 shells (official)Paid seats
🎆 AugustMiyazu Toro Nagashi Lantern and Fireworks Festival
Kansai ・ Miyazu, Kyoto
🎆 Every year on August 16
About 2,000 shells (2026, Amanohashidate Tourist Association)
🎆 OctoberNaniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival
Kansai ・ Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Osaka
🎆 In recent years, a Saturday in mid-October (October 18 in 2025, October 17 in 2026)
Paid seats
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
