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From huge Osaka river displays to Lake Biwa’s famous summer fireworks and beachside shows in Wakayama, here are the Kansai fireworks events worth adding to your calendar. For the rest of the country, see our round-up of Japan's Best Fireworks Festivals. We have a dedicated Tokyo Fireworks Festivals guide, too. Editor's picks: truly unmissable fireworks Overwhelmed by all the great options? If you're looking for a big and buzzy fireworks display, go for the Tenjin Festival in Osaka, where the fireworks come with river boats, Imperial-style costumes, and one of the city’s best festival atmospheres. If you want lake views within easy reach of Kyoto, the Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival is the standout, with thousands of fireworks reflected across Japan’s largest lake. For more of a beach-trip feel, head to the Nanki Shirahama Fireworks Display, where the show takes place over the sea and includes a 1,000-meter Niagara display. Osaka fireworks festivals 2026 For a classic Osaka summer night: Tenjin Festival July 25, 2026 Osaka Tenmangū Shrine Although not solely a fireworks festival, the 1,000-year-old Tenjin Festival has an amazing display on the second night, right along the river. There is a famed procession of over 3,000 people dressed in Imperial court costumes who then board over 100 boats and are carried down the Dōtonbori River. At dusk, the boats are lit with fires, and the firework display begins. This is a brilliant opportunity to see one of Japan's most well-known boat festivals and experience Osaka’s friendly, upbeat atmosphere. The festival takes place at Tenmangū Shrine on July 24 and 25, with the hour-and-a-half-long fireworks display on the second day. The site is a 5-minute walk from Osaka Tenmangū Shrine Station. For a massive fireworks display that's easy to get to: Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival October 17, 2026 Yodogawa River, Osaka The Naniwa Yodogawa Festival takes place on the banks of the Yodo River, with great viewing points from the Yodogawa Riverside Park on either side. There are thousands of fireworks with premium displays and underwater fireworks, too. The festival was originally a community volunteer project, but has now grown into one of the biggest spectacles in the area. The crowds are huge, and it is advised that you arrive at the nearest stations before 6 p.m., as crowd control will be required. There are a lot of paid seats available starting from around and going up to . Some are available in advance, some on the day, and some both. The nearest stations are Tsukamoto, Nakatsu, and Osaka Umeda. For sheer scale: PL Art of Fireworks August 1, 2026 Tondabayashi, Osaka With over 85,000 fireworks and some of the most creative designs going, this display is considered one of the biggest and best in the world. It is also one of the more unusual Japanese fireworks events, as it is held by the Church of Perfect Liberty. The display is free, with fireworks so big they light up the sky as if it were day, if only for a few seconds. The show can be seen from miles around, but the most popular viewing sites are in the Kokyu Country Club. The closest station is Tondabayashi on the Kintetsu Nagano Line. Kyoto fireworks festivals 2026 For fireworks by the sea: Miyazu Toro Nagashi Fireworks Display August 16, 2026 Miyazu City, Kyoto A smaller display with around 4,000 fireworks, the highlight of this event is the procession of 10,000 floating lanterns released onto the river each year. With a 400-year history, the festival was originally held to send off the spirits of ancestors, and fireworks were added in 1924 when the railway was completed. On land, the Miyazu dance is performed along with other ceremonies and stalls. With the ocean's surface covered in glowing lanterns and the sky filled with fireworks, it's an incredible sight, with seating available in Shimazaki Park. The event is held annually on August 16 to celebrate the end of Obon. The site is a 10-minute walk from Miyazu Station. For fireworks with extra flair: Kyoto Art Fireworks June 3, 2026 Kyoto Racecourse, Kyoto The Kyoto Art Fireworks are one the most popular summer fireworks events in Kyoto. The event is usually packed to the brim, with people arriving even before the gates open at 5 p.m. Music, food stalls, and video displays keep the crowd busy before the show kicks off at 7:50 p.m. The whole performance has been designed like a story, and lasts one complete hour. There are 13,500 fireworks set off to the beat off well-known songs. The site is a 2-minute walk from Yodo Station. For a coastal Kyoto vibe: Minato Maizuru Chatta Festival July 26, 2026 Maizuru, Kyoto The festival takes place on the last Saturday and Sunday in July and ends with an impressive fireworks display on the final night. You can enjoy the views from the beach as the fireworks are launched from a ship in the bay. The festival includes local dances and processions throughout the town and is a smaller, more local affair than many of the larger festivals. There are food stalls, traditional festival games, and treats available, too. The beach is a short walk from Higashi Maizaru Station. Kobe fireworks 2026 For skyline views: Kobe Port Fireworks Festival October 19 to 23, 2026 Meriken Park, Kobe Kobe is one of the three big night views in Japan, so you can double up here and enjoy stunning views alongside additional fireworks and festivities. Over 15,000 fireworks are launched, featuring creative designs visible across the city. Some good viewpoints include Meriken Park or the Port Island Station, both offering great views of the display and the city skyline. Venus Bridge on Mount Maya is one of the more romantic viewing spots, which is popular with couples. Paid seats are available to purchase from ticket machines at Lawson, and bookings are available at hotel restaurants like the Hotel Okura and Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel if you want to be super romantic. JR Sannomiya Station is a 20-minute walk to Meriken Park from the south exit. Nara fireworks and mountain-burning 2026 For a fireworks display nestled in the mountains: Yoshino River Fireworks Festival August 15, 2026 Yoshino River, Gojō City Launched from the bed of the Yoshino River, this display of 4,000 fireworks is set against the stunning backdrop of the mountains behind. Burning lanterns are also sent across the river during the festival to send off the spirits of the deceased. The event is a 10-minute walk from JR Gojō Station, 80 minutes from Nara Station. For an atmospheric evening: Wakakusa Yamayaki January 23, 2027 Mount Wakakusa, Nara Once a year, on the 4th Saturday of January, the grass on Mount Wakakusayama is set alight and can be seen from across the city. Featuring a fireworks display, the night is filled with excitement and anticipation, with ceremonies and processions from midday. A bonfire is lit at 5:30 p.m., followed by fireworks before the entire mountainside is set alight, taking about an hour to burn completely. Ise, Kuwana and Kumano fireworks 2026 For the connoisseurs: Ise Shrine Dedication Fireworks Festival July 18, 2026 Miyakawa River, Ise Held on the banks of the Miyagawa River, this festival is dedicated to Ise Shrine and is one of the three biggest in Japan. With over 10,000 fireworks, pyrotechnicians from across the country attend to demonstrate their skills. As it is a fireworks competition, they do their best to show creative designs and displays, so you are guaranteed a great show. There will be extra bus services held from nearby stations, including Ise-shi and Uji-Yamada, during the evening. Paid seats are available, offering the best views. The site is a 5-minute walk from Yamada-kamiguchi, 10 minutes from Miyamachi. For drama from the water: Kuwana Suigo Fireworks Festival July 25, 2026 Ibi River, Kuwana Held on the banks of the Ibi River, the Kuwana fireworks are a large-scale display with over 10,000 showering the night sky. The festival celebrates the completion of the Ise Bridge and has been running since 1934. This event also has underwater fireworks, which are released below the surface, illuminating the water from below. The sky fireworks include impressive designs such as the Niagara and Star Mines, with an underwater starmine too. The site is a 20-minute walk from Kuwana Station, which is 20 minutes from Nagoya. For the ultimate coastal spectacle: Kumano Fireworks Display August 17, 2026 Shichiri Mihama Beach, Kumano The largest fireworks festival in Mie and the surrounding areas, the Kumano Fireworks display has over 10,000 fireworks and is a truly spectacular sight. One of the largest to be held in a rural area, the festival takes place at the Shichirigahama Beach with fireworks launched from the sea. There's plenty of seating available as the beach can easily hold tens of thousands of people. The show will be postponed due to bad weather, rather than canceled. The site is a few minutes' walk from Kumanoshi Station. Lake Biwa fireworks 2026 For a big Lake Biwa moment: Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival August 6, 2026 Ōtsu Port, Ōtsu City This display is held on August 6 with another round of 12,000 fireworks to light up the lake and skies for miles around. The event takes place in Ōtsu Port and is a much more city-like affair, with a stunning skyline and city lights adding to the view. Note: In case of bad weather, the event will be postponed to the 10th. Hamaotsu Station is a 3-minute walk away, and Ōtsu and Zeze are also close. For castle-town lake views: Hikone and Kita-Biwako Great Firework Festival Late August Matsubara Swimming Beach, Hikone City The next of the lake's fireworks festivals is held by Matsubara swimming beach in late August. Here you can watch approximately 10,000 fireworks stretch across the lake with incredible views and reflections all around. The site is near Hikone Castle, and romantic boat cruises are available in the evening, too. In case of bad weather, the event will be postponed to the following day. The venue is a 30-minute walk from Hikone Station. For lakeside views: Nagahama and Kita-Biwako Great Fireworks September 16–18 and October 16 Nagahama Port, Minatocho On the northern side of Lake Biwako, you can enjoy the Nagahama Port display of over 10,000 fireworks. The best viewpoint is the small Ho Park, a few minutes' walk from the nearby Nagahama Station. With the large lake forming the perfect reflective backdrop, you're guaranteed a great show. The park is a few minutes from Nagahama Station. More details available here. Wakayama beach and port fireworks 2026 For harbor views: Minato Matsuri Firework Display July 25, 2026 Wakayama Port, Wakayama City Around 3,000 fireworks are fired into the night sky above Wakayama Port, providing stunning reflections against the backdrop of the beautiful city skyline. The event was originally started to pray for the port's safety, and has become a popular attraction for visitors to the area. The closest station is Wakayamako, which is a 10-minute walk away. For white sand and a waterfall of fire: Nanki Shirahama Fireworks Display August 10, 2026 (August 23 backup date) Shirahama Beach, Shirahama The first Nanki festival was held in 1948 and has been a staple of summer in Wakayama ever since. One of the highlights of this incredible show is the 1,000-meter-long Niagara display, which spans across the sea to form an incredible waterfall of fire. Around 3,500 fireworks are launched in a wide variety of designs and colors, creating incredible views from wherever you watch. Shirahama Beach is a great place to enjoy it, with food stalls in the area too, should you get peckish. The closest station is Shirahama, then catch the Meiko Bus to Shirahama Beach. While we do our best to ensure it's correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in June 2017. Last updated in May 2026, by Patrick Balfe.

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