Japan Burari Trip offer you the best experience in Japan
Held every August in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is one of Japan's three major fireworks festivals, boasting an overwhelming scale. Approximately 20,000 fireworks light up the night sky over the Shinano River, creating a spectacle and beauty that is unforgettable once you see it.
Many travelers from all over the world visit Nagaoka to experience this special night.
On the other hand, August in Japan is the peak of summer. Even at night, temperatures and humidity are high, and fireworks venues are crowded with many people, making it easy to feel the heat.
However, with a little preparation beforehand, you can enjoy the fireworks display comfortably.
For example, simply having drinks readily available, or choosing comfortable shoes and cool clothing, can make a big difference in how pleasant the day is. You want to enjoy your special evening comfortably and happily from start to finish, right?
This article provides easy-to-understand tips for those attending a Japanese summer festival or fireworks display for the first time, ensuring you have a memorable and enjoyable experience. Please use this as a reference when packing and choosing your outfit for the day.
When it comes to fireworks festivals, yukata are a must. This special attire is unique to Japanese summer, and many people visit the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival wearing yukata. The combination of fireworks spreading across the night sky and yukata is incredibly beautiful, allowing you to enjoy the quintessential Japanese summer atmosphere even more.
Recently, yukata rental and dressing services for foreign tourists have become more readily available, making it easy to experience wearing a yukata even for the first time. If you're visiting a Japanese summer festival, be sure to enjoy coordinating your outfit in a yukata!
While the traditional "yukata + geta" style is certainly lovely, recently, prioritizing comfort, styles that combine yukata with sandals or flat shoes have become popular. The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, in particular, has a large venue and a long walk from the station, so wearing comfortable, broken-in shoes will make the experience more enjoyable.
For example, pairing a traditional yukata with white tabi socks and sports sandals, or coordinating it with simple leather sandals, is one way to add a modern twist to a traditional yukata. In Japan, too, the style of "comfortable to move in and stylish to enjoy" is widely popular.
Please enjoy creating wonderful summer memories in Japan while wearing a yukata in your own unique style.
If practicality is your top priority, the following is highly recommended.
Japanese summers are characterized by both heat and humidity. Taking precautions against the heat beforehand will allow you to enjoy fireworks displays more comfortably. Be sure to prepare the following items.
💡Hint: Early symptoms of heatstroke include dizziness, headache, and nausea. If you feel even slightly unwell, immediately rest in a cool place and drink fluids.
Street food is one of the highlights of the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival. Yakisoba, takoyaki, shaved ice... you'll want to keep trying them one after another. However, there aren't always handwashing facilities around the food stalls. Also, temporary toilets at large events can be crowded and may not be hygienic. With wet wipes and a small amount of hand sanitizer, you can stay clean at all times.
When faced with a spectacular fireworks display that fills the entire sky above, you'll naturally want to take tons of photos and videos. However, heavy use of your smartphone camera will drain the battery surprisingly quickly. A high-capacity portable battery is an essential item.
Furthermore, smartphones are essential for checking maps, navigation, and traffic information on-site, so running out of battery would be a real problem. Please note that there are no charging outlets on the bus. Also, due to the crowds at the venue, it may be difficult to make calls or connect to the web.
In Niigata in August, sudden showers can occur from the afternoon to the evening. Please be sure to bring a raincoat or poncho, not just a folding umbrella.
⚠️Important: The use of umbrellas is prohibited inside the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival venue to ensure safety during crowded times. Using an umbrella can obstruct the view of others and may be dangerous in crowded areas. A compact, foldable poncho is highly recommended.
It may seem unassuming, but it's surprisingly useful.
Just keeping two or three of these in your bag can be a lifesaver in a pinch.
The venue along the Shinano River can have mosquitoes on summer nights. Japanese mosquitoes are small, and you often get bitten without even realizing it. Applying insect repellent spray beforehand will allow you to enjoy the fireworks without the stress of itching. You can buy it at Japanese drugstores, but it's best to bring your favorite brand with you for peace of mind.
This versatile item is useful in a variety of situations, from wiping away sweat and spilled drinks to laying it on the ground or a sheet, or wrapping it around a cold drink to keep it cool. During the sunniest hours, you can even drape it over your head or neck to use as sun protection.
The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is more than just a "fireworks display." It is a special event with profound meaning, imbued with prayers for the repose of those who died in war and for recovery from the earthquake. The magnificent fireworks you see under that sky will surely bring you an emotion that words cannot express.
However, to fully experience that emotion, thorough preparation is paramount.
If you have the clothing and items mentioned in this article, you won't have to worry about the heat or the rain. All that's left is to enjoy the day to the fullest!
May the night sky of Nagaoka bring you the best memories.