2026 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
旅行代金（お一人様）…
90,000円～142,000円

Recommended points of the plan

Viewing from the paid seating area

The viewing seats are in the "Athletics Stadium Stands." These seats are elevated and offer a great view of the fireworks. While many viewing areas have temporary toilets, this tour allows you to use the permanent toilets inside the athletics stadium. This is reassuring for those with small children or elderly people.

English and Chinese-speaking staff will accompany you.

A staff member who speaks English and Chinese will accompany you, so there's no need to worry about language barriers. *Please note that Chinese may be handled using translation software.

You can also enjoy sightseeing in Nagano.

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

Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks 2-Day Bus Tour with Visit to Ryuo Sora Terrace and Zenkoji Temple – Chinese & English-Speaking Guides (Departing from Shinjuku)

Departing and arriving at Shinjuku Station
Paid seating
Nagano Prefecture Accommodation
Lunch box lunch
Departure dates: August 2nd (Sun) and August 3rd (Mon)

[Included] Round-trip chartered bus from Shinjuku Station, paid seating ticket, 1 night hotel stay, 1 lunch (boxed lunch), English and Chinese guide.

Tour price: per person
90,000 yen (for 2 travelers participants)
142,000 yen (1 traveler participant)
2 travelers participating
1 traveler participating

Advice for enjoying the Nagaoka fireworks even more

Featured fireworks types

Phoenix Fireworks, a Prayer for Reconstruction

A breathtaking panorama of light paints the entire night sky of Nagaoka. Launched with hopes for reconstruction, the Phoenix fireworks display is a signature event, featuring a spectacular wide starburst stretching for several kilometers, accompanied by music. The band of light, spreading its wings as if to cut through the darkness, evokes the image of a phoenix powerfully taking flight, delivering deep emotion and hope to those who witness it.

A 3-foot diameter firework and Niagara Falls

A magnificent spectacle of ultimate artistry that brilliantly illuminates the summer night sky. One of the highlights of the Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks Display is the collaboration of the famous 3-shaku (approximately 100 cm) diameter fireworks and the Niagara Falls-style fireworks display that stretches for 650 meters. The torrent of light that cascades down onto the river surface with a roaring sound is a breathtaking sight that 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.

One tip for enjoying the Nagaoka Fireworks

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

There are many food and drink stalls set up in the Aeon (supermarket) which is very close to the spectator seats.
Enjoy gourmet food from all over Japan, as well as local Nagaoka specialties.
Supermarkets also stock a wide variety of prepared foods.
When you think of summer in Japan, you think of edamame, ice-cold draft beer, yakisoba, 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.

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.