Written by JC Team
Witness the world’s largest fireworks (in dimension) and over 15,000 more explosive displays at the Katakai Fireworks Festival.
What happens?
The Katakai Fireworks Festival is a breathtaking two-day celebration where fireworks are offered as dedications to the local Asahara Shrine. Expect over 15,000 fireworks across both nights, lighting up the sky in a stunning display of craftsmanship and artistry. The festival’s highlight is the yonshakudama, a colossal firework that holds the Guinness World Record for its immense size and impact.
Highlights
- September 12: Dedication fireworks begin in the evening, with rituals and offerings throughout the day.
- September 13: The grand finale featuring the yonshakudama, the world’s largest firework, alongside thousands of other spectacular displays.
History
The Katakai Fireworks Festival, also known as the Asahara Shrine Autumn Festival, has been lighting up the skies of Niigata since the mid-Edo period — originally dedicated to the gods of Asahara Shrine.
Tickets 2025
Box seats for up to 8 people cost ¥33,000.
How to get there
Public transport
The fireworks are around a 2-hour journey from Tokyo Station via the Jōetsu Shinkansen and Joetsu Line. Once there, visitors can take express buses from JR Ojiya Station (20 minutes) or JR Nagaoka Station (30 minutes) via Katakai.
Special buses will operate between the Katakai Gonomachi temporary bus stop and Nagaoka Station before and after the fireworks. There will be no bus service to Ojiya.
For the outbound trip from Nagaoka Station to Katakai, a regular route bus will run with fares of ¥410 for adults and ¥210 for children. The return trip after the fireworks will use special chartered buses. Tickets cost ¥1,500 for adults and children; infants and younger can ride for free.
Car
For those driving, it’s 10 minutes from Ojiya Interchange or Nagaoka Minamikoshiji Smart Interchange and 20 minutes from Nagaoka Interchange. Note that road restrictions may cause delays in the afternoon from the Nagaoka and Koshiji directions.
Parking options include free and paid temporary lots around Katakai, with capacity for over 1,000 cars.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.