🎎 Nagaoka Fireworks Festival

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is one of Japan's "Three Great Fireworks Festivals" and represents a traditional summer event in Niigata, held annually on August 2nd and 3rd. The origins of this festival can be traced back to the 12th year of the Meiji era (1879), when the first fireworks display was held during the local shrine's autumn festival. Although it was interrupted during the war, the fireworks festival was restored in the 22nd year of the Showa era (1947). Later, after the Niigata Prefecture "Chuetsu Earthquake" in the 16th year of the Heisei era (2004), the fireworks known as "Phoenix," which became synonymous with the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival and symbolize the wish for revival, were launched for the first time at the following year's festival. Since then, the festival has been held annually to honor the souls of those who lost their lives in the Nagaoka air raids, express gratitude to the ancestors who contributed to the revival, and wish for everlasting peace. Viewing seats are set up along both banks of the Shinano River, allowing spectators to enjoy the fireworks from two directions. Taking advantage of this feature, the festival launches a type of firework called "Shakudama (10-inch shell)" multiple times during the event (typically, such fireworks are only launched at the finale in other festivals), which is a characteristic of the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival. In particular, the "Shōsan Shakudama," which has a width of about 650 meters, and the unique firework "Revival Wish Phoenix," which spans approximately 2 kilometers and soars through the night sky like a phoenix, are must-see highlights. The day of the fireworks festival can be very crowded, so be sure to plan with ample time. Additionally, information on avoiding crowds can be found on the official website, and it is recommended to refer to that as well.

Among Japan's three major fireworks festivals, this one has a long-standing tradition. There are no free viewing seats; all seats must be purchased with tickets. The event day will be extremely crowded, so please allow ample time when planning your itinerary.