2025 NAGAOKA HANABI

NAGAOKA FIERWORKS

Nagaoka Fireworks Viewing Tour from Tokyo

Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, known as the best in Japan

◆ The Nagaoka Festival Fireworks Display is highly regarded as the best in Japan due to its scale, power, beauty, and history.
The fireworks festival, which takes place over 2 days every year on August 2nd and 3rd, is said to have originated in 1879.
Since then, it has been passed down to the present day as a prayer for recovery from the Nagaoka air raids during wartime and the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2004, and it carries with it the hopes and dreams of the local citizens.
Nagaoka Fireworks Official Homepage
Travel cost (per person)…
73,000 yen ~ 130,000 yen

Recommended points of the plan

Points common to both plans

The viewing seats are "bench seats" where you can stretch your legs comfortably. These seats offer the best view of the fireworks, allowing you to enjoy the sensation of the fireworks rising directly above you. English and Chinese speaking staff will be on hand.

Shinkansen Plan

Travel time is short and comfortable with the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station. There are plenty of sightseeing options, including the Yuzawa Kogen Alpine Village Ropeway and the Agano River Boat Trip.

Bus use plan

Depart by bus from Shinjuku Station. Board the ropeway at Ryuo Mountain Resort and enjoy a spectacular view at "SORA TERRACE".

Nagaoka Fireworks Viewing Tour

Nagaoka fireworks image

SORA Terrace Image

Nagaoka fireworks image

Nagaoka fireworks image

Nagaoka fireworks image

[Use a chartered bus] 2-day tour including Ryuo, Sora Terrace, and Kiyotsu Gorge sightseeing | Chinese and English speaking staff accompany

Departing and arriving at Shinjuku Station
Bench seat
Nagano Prefecture Accommodation
Lunch box lunch
Departure date: August 2 (Sat) August 3 (Sun)

[Included] Round-trip chartered bus from Shinjuku Station, bench seat ticket, one night stay in hotel, one lunch (bento box), English and Chinese guide

Travel fee: per person
73,000 yen

No longer available

Shinkansen image

Nagaoka fireworks image

Yuzawa Plateau Image

Nagaoka fireworks image

Nagaoka fireworks image

Nagaoka fireworks image

[Using the Shinkansen] 2-day tour including Yuzawa Highlands and Agano River cruise | Chinese and English speaking staff accompany

Departing and arriving at Tokyo Station
Bench seat
Niigata Prefecture Accommodation
Japanese soba lunch
Departure date: August 2 (Sat) August 3 (Sun)

[Included] Round-trip Shinkansen ticket from Tokyo Station, bench seat ticket, one night stay in hotel, one lunch (Japanese soba), English/Chinese guide

Travel fee: per person
100,000 yen

No longer available

Advice for enjoying the Nagaoka fireworks even more

Featured fireworks types

Phoenix Fireworks Wishing for a complete recovery

This huge masterpiece, Color the summer night sky, The peak of techniques. One of the highlights of the Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks Show is the renowned Sho-sanjakudama (3-foot diameter shell fireworks) with a set of fireworks called "Niagara", the 650 mater long dynamic fireworks display vigorously flows down into the river, which is reminiscent of "Niagara Falls".

Sho-sanjyakudama and Niagara Fall

This huge masterpiece, Color the summer night sky, The peak of techniques. One of the highlights of the Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks Show is the renowned Sho-sanjakudama (3-foot diameter shell fireworks) with a set of fireworks called "Niagara", the 650 mater long dynamic fireworks display vigorously flows down into the river, which is reminiscent of "Niagara Falls".

Wide Starmine

Firework craftsmen use the latest technology to create wide-open, story-like musical fireworks, such as the Yonehyappyo Fireworks and the Tenchijin Fireworks.
The sparkling flashes of light and the colors and shapes that change in the blink of an eye will fascinate and impress anyone who sees them.

Tips

Arrive at the venue with plenty of time to spare

After 5pm, it gets so crowded that it's impossible to go against the flow of people.
There will also be long queues at food and drink stalls and supermarkets.
Please make sure to arrive at the venue with plenty of time to spare.

Enjoy eating and drinking at the outdoor stalls and walking around

It takes about 40 minutes to walk from Nagaoka Station to the viewing area.
There are many food and drink stalls between the station and the viewing area.
Enjoy gourmet food from all over Japan as well as local Nagaoka cuisine.
There are also many kinds of prepared foods available at supermarkets.
Summer in Japan is all about edamame beans, ice-cold draft beer, yakisoba noodles, takoyaki, and fireworks.

Useful things to bring

[Hats, towels, sunglasses, sunscreen, and other sun protection items]...It will be hot until around 6:00 p.m. Please make sure to stay hydrated.
[Wet tissues, bags] The ground at the venue is dirt. These are useful for wiping off dirt, storing dirty items, and especially when it rains.
[Folding umbrella] ... Because it's summer, rain may suddenly come down from the evening showers. You can also use it as a parasol.

access

Access

Location of the fireworks display in Nagaoka City

Nagaoka City is located in Niigata Prefecture, about 260km north of Tokyo.

By train

from Tokyo Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station or Ueno Station. The journey takes about 100 to 110 minutes.
Take the Shinkansen bound for Niigata. Almost all Shinkansen trains stop at Nagaoka Station.
From Osaka and Nagoya Take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Tokyo Station, then change to the Joetsu Shinkansen at Tokyo Station.

*Reserved seats on the Shinkansen go on sale one month in advance. Unreserved seats are available, but they will be fully booked during the fireworks period and it will be difficult to find a seat.

By car

from Tokyo If you take the Kan'etsu Expressway, the journey will take about 7 hours, covering a distance of approximately 260 km.
This will be used from the Nerima toll gate to Nagaoka Interchange. Parking information will be updated on this page at a later date.

By plane

from Tokyo There are no flights from Haneda Airport to Niigata Airport.
From Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka JAL and ANA operate flights from Osaka Itami Airport to Niigata Airport. FDA operates flights from Nagoya Airport to Niigata Airport, and ANA and FDA operate flights from Fukuoka to Niigata Airport.
Nagaoka city is about 80km away from Niigata Airport. Take a bus from Niigata Airport to Niigata Station, about 25 minutes.
It takes about 25 minutes from Niigata Station to Nagaoka Station by Shinkansen or conventional train.
From Hokkaido JAL and ANA operate flights from Sapporo's Chitose Airport to Niigata Airport. Nagaoka City is about 80 km away from Niigata Airport. Take a bus from Niigata Airport to Niigata Station, about 25 minutes. From Niigata Station to Nagaoka Station, it takes about 25 minutes by Shinkansen or conventional train.

Accommodation on the day of the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival

Hotels in Nagaoka city and its suburbs, as well as in Niigata prefecture, will be very crowded due to the fireworks festival, and it will be difficult to make reservations. If you are unable to reserve a hotel near the venue in advance, we recommend a day trip.
The last Shinkansen to Tokyo leaves Nagaoka Station at 22:01.
Please leave the venue shortly before the fireworks display ends and head to Nagaoka Station.
You can't take a taxi. It's usually a 30 minute walk, but it takes about an hour.
Also, Nagaoka Station is extremely crowded, so if you don't leave early you risk missing the last Shinkansen train.

Venue

It takes about 40 minutes on foot from Nagaoka Station to the launch site.

Due to traffic restrictions, taxis and buses cannot get close to the site, so you will have to walk.

Venue Map

A one-day trip plan from Tokyo

Please use this sample itinerary as a reference for those planning to make a day trip from Tokyo on your own. All seats are subject to a fee and must be reserved in advance.

  • 11:40 Departure from Tokyo Station
    Departing Tokyo Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen Toki 321.
  • 13:21 Arrived at Nagaoka Station
    After arriving at Nagaoka Station, you can compare different types of sake at Ponshukan, a sake shop located inside the Nagaoka Station building (fees apply).
    Afterwards, we went around sampling local gourmet food at the stalls in Aore Nagaoka, a large complex in front of the station.
  • 13:21-16:00 Walking around the station
    While you wait for the fireworks to start, enjoy shopping around Nagaoka Station or strolling around town.
  • 16:00 Move to the venue
    After moving to the venue, we went shopping for food and drinks at Nagaoka's popular supermarket, Woroku.
  • 18:00 Meal at the venue
    Please enjoy your meal and drinks while you wait for the fireworks to begin.
  • 19:20 Fireworks start
    Enjoy the Nagaoka fireworks, said to be the best in Japan.
  • 20:50 Depart the venue
    To avoid crowds, leave the venue a little before the fireworks finish and walk to Nagaoka Station. (The fireworks finish around 9:10 p.m.)
  • 22:01 Departing from Nagaoka Station
    Take the Joetsu Shinkansen Toki 346 to Tokyo Station.
  • 23:40 Arrive at Tokyo Station
    After arriving, proceed to your hotel. (The last Yamanote Line train from Tokyo Station leaves around 24:30.)

FAQ

Q&A

  • Q. Can I view the exhibit without a ticket?

    All seats near the launch site are paid seating. You can watch freely if you move away from the site, but you may not be able to see the whole thing because you may be in the shadow of a building or at an angle.
    If you want to see the whole thing up close, we recommend the viewing seats. Please note that only ticket holders can enter the embankments and riverbanks.

  • Q.Are there restrooms at the venue?

    There are many temporary toilets available, but please be aware that there will be long lines before the launch, so please make sure to use them early.

  • Q. Is it okay to eat and drink in the spectator seats?

    Yes, you are free to bring your own food.

  • Q. Can I do a day trip from Tokyo?

    After the fireworks display, it gets very crowded, and it may take more than an hour to get to the station, which usually takes 40 minutes. Also, because the station is so crowded, the queues to get in are regulated.
    There is a good chance that you won't be able to make the last train, so if you want to be sure to make it, it's best to leave the venue a little before the fireworks display ends.
    On the way back, taxis are not available due to traffic restrictions.

  • Q. Will the fireworks display be held even if it rains?

    The event will be held rain or shine. In principle, there will be no cancellations (except in the case of natural disasters).

  • Q.Are there any souvenirs you would recommend?

    Nagaoka City has the most sake breweries in Niigata Prefecture. Sake-based plum wine and sparkling sake are also popular. Niigata Prefecture is also famous for rice crackers and other rice snacks, as it is a rice-producing region.