Introducing Niigata's Fascinating Festivals
2025.03.06Rich in nature and traditions, Niigata Prefecture is home to many festivals that are sure to delight, from fireworks displays where the night sky gets painted with massive flower-like patterns and summer festivals where dancers clad in traditional yukata garments parade through the streets, to winter events that showcase the prefecture's piles of world-renowned snow. Read on and get to know some of the festivals that highlight the four seasons in Niigata. If you happen to catch any of these festivals when you visit, it's a guarantee that you will gain memories you'll never forget.
Be Mesmerized by the World's Largest Firework! Katakai Fireworks Festival at Asahara Shrine
The Katakai Fireworks Festival is held over two days, starting from the day before the second Saturday of September, at Asahara Shrine in the Niigata town of Katakai. It features approximately 15,000 fireworks launched into the sky over its two-day run.
The highlight of the festival is the “yonshakudama” which has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1985 as the world's largest firework. Measuring 800 meters in diameter when it blooms, the way that this giant firework lights up the night sky is truly a sight to behold! The loud exploding sound coming from the firework echoes off the mountains, adding to the thrill.
The whole town is abuzz right from the morning of the festival with a variety of traditional events, such as the “Tamaokuri” where the fireworks are offered up to the shrine, as well as the “Tsutsubiki” for praying that the fireworks show ends up successful.
Come and experience a festival with a 400-year history in this town that is also known as the birthplace of the “sanshakudama”, a firework that blooms in the sky to a span of 600 meters.
The highlight of the festival is the “yonshakudama” which has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1985 as the world's largest firework. Measuring 800 meters in diameter when it blooms, the way that this giant firework lights up the night sky is truly a sight to behold! The loud exploding sound coming from the firework echoes off the mountains, adding to the thrill.
The whole town is abuzz right from the morning of the festival with a variety of traditional events, such as the “Tamaokuri” where the fireworks are offered up to the shrine, as well as the “Tsutsubiki” for praying that the fireworks show ends up successful.
Come and experience a festival with a 400-year history in this town that is also known as the birthplace of the “sanshakudama”, a firework that blooms in the sky to a span of 600 meters.
Witness the Fireworks of Prayer That Attract a Million People at the Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks Show!
The Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks Show is one of the most popular fireworks festivals in Japan, drawing in more than a million spectators domestically and abroad every year. Held over two days on August 2 and 3, the festival takes place along both banks of the Shinano River that flows through Nagaoka City.
Go to this event and you will surely be overwhelmed when you see the colossal fireworks sparkling in the dark night sky, such as the Sho-sanjakudama, a large firework with a burst diameter of 650m, and the Phoenix, a firework launched over a two-kilometer area to pray for the city's recovery! Prepare to be blown away by the epic scale and breathtaking beauty of the fireworks.
This fireworks show traces its origin to the Nagaoka Reconstruction Festival, which was held to commemorate those who perished in the Nagaoka Air Raid that happened on August 1, 1945, and to pray for the reconstruction of the city. Steeped in history, this festival is famous for fireworks that are launched to the sky carrying the fervent prayers of the locals.
Go to this event and you will surely be overwhelmed when you see the colossal fireworks sparkling in the dark night sky, such as the Sho-sanjakudama, a large firework with a burst diameter of 650m, and the Phoenix, a firework launched over a two-kilometer area to pray for the city's recovery! Prepare to be blown away by the epic scale and breathtaking beauty of the fireworks.
This fireworks show traces its origin to the Nagaoka Reconstruction Festival, which was held to commemorate those who perished in the Nagaoka Air Raid that happened on August 1, 1945, and to pray for the reconstruction of the city. Steeped in history, this festival is famous for fireworks that are launched to the sky carrying the fervent prayers of the locals.
Marvel at a Light Show Over the Sea! Gion Kashiwazaki Festival Sea Fireworks
The Gion Kashiwazaki Festival is a major summer event held annually from July 24 to 26 in Kashiwazaki City. On the night of July 26, the festival hits its climax with the Sea Fireworks, where approximately 16,000 fireworks are launched over the sea.
Some of the highlights of this fireworks display are the “Wide Starmine”, which uses the 600-meter-long embankment as a launchpad, and the simultaneous launch of “100 Shakudama”, when massive fireworks with a burst diameter of 300 meters are launched together over a wide area of 1,500 meters.
Another sight to look out for is the “Undersea Starmine”, a semicircle-shaped underwater firework that is fired into the sea in an arc and then blooms on the surface of the water. This is something you will truly only get to witness at a fireworks show that is literally held on the sea!
Enjoy the magical spectacle of fireworks as they light up the jet-black sea in gorgeous colors.
Some of the highlights of this fireworks display are the “Wide Starmine”, which uses the 600-meter-long embankment as a launchpad, and the simultaneous launch of “100 Shakudama”, when massive fireworks with a burst diameter of 300 meters are launched together over a wide area of 1,500 meters.
Another sight to look out for is the “Undersea Starmine”, a semicircle-shaped underwater firework that is fired into the sea in an arc and then blooms on the surface of the water. This is something you will truly only get to witness at a fireworks show that is literally held on the sea!
Enjoy the magical spectacle of fireworks as they light up the jet-black sea in gorgeous colors.
Feel the Japanese Summer with Yukata, Fireworks, and Local Folk Songs! Niigata Festival
The Niigata Festival is a major annual summer event that takes place in the heart of Niigata City for three days in early August.
The first night of the festival comes alive with the Daiminyo-nagashi, where throngs of people wearing colorful yukata parade through the city while dancing to the local folk songs “Niigata Jinku” and “Sado Okesa”.
On the second and third days of the festival, a variety of events get the city bursting with excitement, including the Sumiyoshi Gyoretsu procession, a beautiful parade of people in traditional costumes, and the mikoshi (portable shrine) parade on water featuring a procession of around 40 gorgeously decorated boats.
The festival concludes with a fireworks show on the Shinano River. As the fireworks burst in vivid colors set against music, the dark sky will be lit up in beautiful, vibrant colors.
The first night of the festival comes alive with the Daiminyo-nagashi, where throngs of people wearing colorful yukata parade through the city while dancing to the local folk songs “Niigata Jinku” and “Sado Okesa”.
On the second and third days of the festival, a variety of events get the city bursting with excitement, including the Sumiyoshi Gyoretsu procession, a beautiful parade of people in traditional costumes, and the mikoshi (portable shrine) parade on water featuring a procession of around 40 gorgeously decorated boats.
The festival concludes with a fireworks show on the Shinano River. As the fireworks burst in vivid colors set against music, the dark sky will be lit up in beautiful, vibrant colors.
Catch a Glimpse of a Magical Snowy Landscape with Dancing Lanterns! Tsunan Snow Festival & SNOW WAVE
The Tsunan Snow Festival is usually held in mid-March in the town of Tsunan, one of the places in the world with the heaviest snowfall. This festival is packed with various thrilling events - on top of a number of events that capitalize on the snow, it also features the SNOW WAVE, the largest snowboard straight jump competition in Japan.
Look out for the festival's finale called “Sky Lantern”. Approximately 2,000 lanterns will be made to float toward the night sky, and their warm glow will cast a magical vibe over the snowy landscape.
You can also try heart-pounding activities such as the exhilarating snowmobile and banana boat rides. This festival is filled with attractions unique to the snow country of Niigata, including snow domes called “kamakura” and snow lanterns that are molded from snow and lit inside through a horizontal line that has been drilled into it.
Look out for the festival's finale called “Sky Lantern”. Approximately 2,000 lanterns will be made to float toward the night sky, and their warm glow will cast a magical vibe over the snowy landscape.
You can also try heart-pounding activities such as the exhilarating snowmobile and banana boat rides. This festival is filled with attractions unique to the snow country of Niigata, including snow domes called “kamakura” and snow lanterns that are molded from snow and lit inside through a horizontal line that has been drilled into it.