Festivals

Otsu, Hikone, Hino-cho

Shiga’s summer tradition is the great firework displays.

Shiga has many different festivals. Firework displays, a typical summertime tradition in Japan, are held from July to August all over the country, with events both large and small. Shiga is home to a number of elaborately planned displays, with many held along the banks of Lake Biwa. They feature a rich variety of fireworks with some spreading out over 200 meters in diameter in a variety of shapes, all created by firework artisans for a lively summertime tradition each year.

(c)Biwako visitor’s Bureou
(c)Biwako visitor’s Bureou
(c)Biwako visitor’s Bureou
(c)Biwako visitor’s Bureou

The amazing spectacle of fireworks reflected in Lake Biwa.

The sight of fireworks bursting in the sky reflected in the surface of the lake makes the display even more beautiful. If the fireworks are reflected in Lake Biwa, you’re undoubtedly in for a beautiful scene. The Biwa Lake Fireworks Festival, and the Hikone North Biwa Lake Great Fireworks Festival are particularly large and popular even outside of Shiga. Each display features over 10,000 fireworks, drawing over 150,000 spectators. The breathtaking view of fireworks quickly launched into the sky is a wonderful Japanese summertime tradition you must experience.

A wild festival with a line of torches!

Shiga has some unique festivals. The Hifuri Torch Festival held in August in Hinocho is one that brings luck to the harvest. Torches 2.5 meters in length are lit and carried by a procession of 100 people. It is a fun spectacle where children slap the torches as they go by to ensure that they do not burn too much. Once the procession reaches the meeting place, all of the torches that have burned low are thrown at once onto the pine trees in the center. Legend has it that if many pine trees are set on fire by the torches, the rice harvest that year will be plentiful. The mystical procession of fire and exciting climax are amazing, and a rare scene that can only be found in Shiga Prefecture.

For reference

Held August every year

Address

Hamaotsu, Otsu-shi, Shika-ken, across all of Otsu Harbor (launch location)
Telephone

077－511－1530
(Office of the Executive Committee for the Biwa Lake Fireworks Festival)
Website

http://www.biwako-visitors.jp/hanabi/index.html

Held August 1 every year

Address

Matsubaracho, Hikone-shi, Shiga-ken, Biwa Lake Matsubara Swimming Area (launch location)
Telephone

0749-23-0001
(Hikone Tourism Association)
Website

http://www.hikoneshi.com/jp/event/articles/c/hanabi

Held August 14 and 15 every year

Address

951 Kozukeda, Hinocho, Gamo-gun, Shiga-ken
Telephone

0748-52-6577
(Hino Tourism Association)

Access

Osaka International Airport is a 1 hour, 50 minute flight from New Chitose Airport.

Osaka International Airport is a 1 hour flight from Haneda Airport.

Osaka International Airport is a 1 hour, 10 minute flight from Fukuoka Airport.

Osaka International Airport is a 1 hour, 10 minute flight from Kagoshima Airport.

Osaka International Airport is a 2 hour flight from Naha Airport.

The Biwa Lake Fireworks Festival

Kyoto is a 55 minute ride by airport bus, and JR Otsu Station is a 9 minute train ride from JR Kyoto Station by Biwako Line. The festival is a 15 minute walk from Otsu Station.

The Hikone North Biwa Lake Great Fireworks Festival

Kyoto is a 55 minute ride by airport bus, and JR Hikone Station is a 50 minute train ride from JR Kyoto Station by Biwako Line New Express train. The festival is a 10 minute taxi ride from Hikone Station.

Hifuri Torch Festival

Kyoto is a 55 minute ride by airport shuttle bus, and JR Omihachiman Station is a 46 minute train ride from JR Kyoto Station by Biwako Line (33 minutes by Express train). Take the bus from Omihachiman Station (46 min) and get off in front of Hino High School.