Written by Aarohi
Gunma’s biggest summer festival returns with fireworks, giant daruma dolls, and two days of hometown pride.
What happens?
The Takasaki Festival transforms the area around Takasaki Station into a full-blown celebration, with taiko drumming, street parades, and mikoshi (portable shrine) processions. There are also fireworks — to the tune of 15,000 rounds — in addition to food stalls and street performances.
Pro tip: Looking for more activities in Takasaki? Check out our day trip guide.
Schedule 2026
Fireworks will go off on August 22 from 7:30 to 8:20 p.m.
In case of severe weather, the fireworks will be postponed to August 23.
Tickets 2026
Entry to the festival is free and there will be plenty of free spots to catch the fireworks. However, there will also be paid seating available for those who want to watch the fireworks more comfortably.
Paid viewing areas cost ¥3,500 for adults and ¥2,500 for high-school students and younger. Preschool children enter free when accompanied by a ticket holder.
Advance tickets go on sale at noon on July 8 and are sold first come, first served through Rakuten Ticket, convenience stores, the city tourism office and the Takasaki Tourism Association.
Limited same-day A-area tickets may be sold from 6 p.m. for the same standard prices, but only if advance allocations have not sold out. The paid areas open at 6 p.m.
How to get there
To get to Takasaki, the fastest option is the Jōetsu or Hokuriku bullet train, which takes about 50 minutes from Ueno and costs around ¥4,610 one way (covered by JR Passes). A cheaper alternative is the Takasaki Line via Shinjuku, which takes about 2 hours and costs ¥1,980.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
