Fireworks

Kashiwazaki, Nagaoka, Katakai

The three major fireworks festivals of the Echigo region, with a backdrop of sea, mountain, and river

There are three major fireworks festivals in different Niigata locations. These are the “Kashiwazaki sea" (where fireworks rise into the sky against a backdrop of the Sea of Japan), the "Nagaoka river" (staged on the Shinano River), and the "Katakai mountain" (which began in the Edo era and is listed by Guinness as one of the largest fireworks displays).These are held every July, August, and September, respectively. Although the ambience differs slightly by location, these are all among Japan’s largest fireworks displays, based on the number of fireworks launched

In Japan, the more regional you go, the bigger the fireworks!

Surprisingly, the scale of fireworks in Japanese regional areas tend to be larger than fireworks in urban areas. Large fireworks of 600–800m in diameter are launched at festivals in Niigata! This is nearly 10 times the size of fireworks in the Tokyo metropolitan area. This is why the Japanese often go to enjoy fireworks in a rural location – to watch sparks fly, lighting up the massive night sky, as the booming sound of detonation resounds in the chest. Fireworks shine spectacularly against the deep darkness of rural areas at night. The scale of such events amazes even the Japanese.

Nagaoka fireworks festival, recharging the spirit of Niigata locals

Among the three major Echigo fireworks festivals, Niigata residents hold a special fondness for the Nagaoka fireworks display. This display had its origins in the Nagaoka Rehabilitation Festival, which celebrated post-war reconstruction. Although the festival is held on August 2nd and 3rd, one firework in the shape of a white chrysanthemum is always launched at 10:30 p.m. on August 1 (the time that the Nagaoka air raid started). The festival sees twenty thousand fireworks launched into the sky. Visited by more than one million people each year, this is also one of Japan's three largest fireworks displays.

For reference

Address

Shinano riverside, Nagaoka-shi, Niigata-ken
Phone

None
Date held

Every year on August 2nd & 3rd (from 7:20 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.)
Regular days of closure

None
Price

Viewing is free. Paid stadium seating is 2000 yen.
Website

http://nagaokamatsuri.com/

Access

Approx. 1 hour and 5 minutes from Narita Airport to Niigata Airport

Approx. 55 minutes from Chubu International Airport to Niigata Airport

Approx. 1 hour and 10 minutes from Itami Airport to Niigata Airport

Approx. 1 hour and a half from Fukuoka Airport to Niigata Airport

Approx. 3 hours from Naha Airport to Niigata Airport

JR Niigata Station is 25 minutes by shuttle bus from Niigata Airport.

JR Nagaoka Station is 20 minutes by express train from JR Niigata Station.
The festival is a 30-minute walk from Nagaoka Station. There is a shuttle bus service on the day.