Local Guide
【2025】Five recommended fireworks shows to enjoy in Nagano Prefecture.

Nagano Prefecture is blessed with rich nature, historical buildings, and famous hot springs, and is a popular tourist destination. In fact, there are many fireworks festivals held in Nagano Prefecture, and from the end of July to mid-August, the night skies over the prefecture are decorated with large fireworks displays. We have carefully selected some of the most popular fireworks displays. Here we introduce the features and highlights of each, such as fireworks viewed against the backdrop of the Northern Alps, fireworks on a lake with great power, and fireworks enjoyed in the comfort of a riverside setting.

Watch the powerful wide starmine fireworks at close range

The fireworks display is held on the banks of the Chikuma River, about a 3-minute walk from Ueda Station. The fireworks are launched from the opposite bank of the river, which offers a good view, so you can enjoy the powerful fireworks and sound at a close distance. The highlight of the festival is the "Wide Starmine," which takes advantage of the wide riverbed. The scale of the fireworks is so large that they cannot be contained within the field of view, and the way they color the night sky in all directions is breathtaking. The "Music Starmine," which is synchronized with music, also brings a lot of excitement to the audience.
If you want to secure a seat, we recommend paying for bleacher seats. In addition to the pier seats, there is also a standing area suitable for those who want to take pictures.
Food stalls will also be set up at the venue. Enjoy watching the fireworks at your leisure with a gourmet food stall in hand.

Local Guide Comment
The venue can be reached on foot from Ueda Station, served by JR Hokuriku Shinkansen, Shinano Railway, and Ueda Electric Railway. Enjoy the fireworks in Shinshu, which is relatively cool even in summer, with the pleasant cool breeze of the Chikuma River.
Shinshu Ueda Grand Fireworks Festival
  • Address Chikuma River riverbed (downstream of Tsuneda Shinbashi bridge), Ueda City, Nagano MAP
  • Business Hours August 5, 2025 (Mon) 19:00- (Tue)
  • TEL 0268-22-4500（Shinshu Ueda Grand Fireworks Festival Executive Committee (in Ueda Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
  • Parking Parking is available nearby.
  • Memo If the event is cancelled, an announcement will be made at 15:00 on the day of the event.
    For details on paid spectator seats, please check the website (sales will end when the scheduled number of seats has been sold).

Experience the great sound and power of a riverside mountainous area

(c)Shinshu Chikuma Tourist Bureau
(c)Shinshu Chikuma Tourist Bureau

Held along the banks of the Chikuma River in Togurakamiyamada hot spring, this fireworks display boasts a history of over 100 years. The fireworks are shot off from the opposite bank of the Chikuma River, which flows right in front of you, so they are full of power. In addition, the sound of the fireworks echoes loudly from the mountains that surround the area, creating an exceptional sense of realism. Among the approximately 10,000 fireworks, including starmine and trap fireworks, the spectacular "Niagara Falls," a 300-meter-long waterfall that cascades from the Manyo Bridge, is a must-see. Together with the gorgeous and extra-large Starmine that decorates the finale, it is a famous feature of the Chikuma River Noryo Fireworks Festival. Both paid and free viewing areas are available, and you can watch at close range, but if you want to secure a seat, it is better to get an advance ticket for a paid seat in advance.
Nearly 100 food stalls along the riverside and banks of the river provide a festive atmosphere for the fireworks display.

Local Guide Comment
It is about a 25-minute walk from Togura Station on the Shinano Railway to the venue. Food stalls will be set up before the evening, so it is recommended to get there early to enjoy the food stalls at a leisurely pace.
Chikuma River Noryo Fireworks Festival in Chikuma City, Shinshu
  • Address Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture Togura-Kamiyamada hot spring Chikuma River bank (between Taishobashi Bridge and Manyo Bridge) MAP
  • Business Hours August 7, 2025 (Thu) 19:30-21:00
  • TEL 026-261-0300 (Shinshu Chikuma Tourist Bureau)
  • Parking Free *Ride together or use public transportation due to limited numbers.
  • Memo Number of shots: 10,000
    In principle, the festival will be held rain or shine (in case of cancellation, information will be posted on the website, etc.)

Enjoy the powerful fireworks that can only be seen in the city!

This popular fireworks display is a summer tradition in Matsumoto. About 3,000 fireworks are shot off on the banks of the Susuki River in the city center, giving the spectators a real sense of presence. The distance between the spectators and the fireworks is so close that you may feel as if the fireworks are being shot off right above you.
The highlight of the festival is the finale. The mood reaches its climax as numerous fireworks are shot off one after another in rapid succession. It is a spectacular sight to see so many fireworks shot off at once that they fill the night sky.
This year, lanterns will be lined up along the sidewalks near the festival site to create a fantastic scene, and a new attempt will be made to launch a Niagara at the opening of the festival.

Local Guide Comment
The festival is crowded with many local residents every year as 3,000 fireworks light up the night sky. A festival is also held at the nearby Chikuma Shrine, where many stalls are set up.
Susuki River Fireworks Festival
  • address (e.g. of house) Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture Susuki River riverbed (between Chikuma Bridge and Miharu Bridge, north side riverbed) MAP
  • Business Hours August 9 (Sat), 2025, 19:10-20:05 (Mon)
  • Admission fee No
  • TEL 080-4923-8787 (Susuki River Fireworks Festival Executive Committee)
  • Memo Number of launches: approx. 3,000
    Estimated number of visitors in a typical year: approx. 20,000
    No paid seating, light rain, cancelled in case of stormy weather with no postponement

A popular fireworks display with paid seats and gourmet food available in the open air

The annual fireworks festival is held on August 14 in Azumino City, a neighbor of Matsumoto City. The popularity of this event has been growing rapidly in recent years, as it is easy to secure a space with paid spectator seats, and the fireworks can be viewed in a relaxed atmosphere with the Northern Alps in the background.
The fireworks are launched from the banks of the Saigawa River. The distance between the spectator seats and the fireworks is very close, so if you spread out a sheet and look up at the night sky, the sound of the fireworks echoing through the mountains will be very powerful. Starting with the musical fireworks, a wide variety of fireworks are displayed, and the final part of the fireworks display, a series of rapid-fire shots and an extra-large starmine, is out of the ordinary and on a grand scale. The "Message Fireworks," in which personal messages are shot off, is also a highlight.
If you get hungry, go to "Manpuku Road. You can enjoy gourmet foods from all over Japan at the open-air area where many famous restaurants have gathered.

Local Guide Comment
The finale is a super extra-large wide starmine! It is so powerful that you can't help but watch it with your mouth hanging open!
18th Azumino Fireworks Festival
  • Address Azumino City, Nagano MAP
  • Business Hours August 14 (Thu), 2025 from 19:00
    *Held on the same day every year regardless of the day of the week
  • TEL 0263-71-2000（Azumino City Commerce, Industry, Tourism and Sports Department, Tourism Division, Executive Committee Secretariat)
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Memo Number of fireworks launched in a typical year: approx. 12,000
    Estimated number of visitors in a typical year: approx. 20,000

Enjoy the overwhelming scale and power only possible on a lake

(c)Suwa City
(c)Suwa City

Lake Suwa, located in the center of Nagano Prefecture, is the stage for one of the largest fireworks displays in Japan. The overwhelming sense of scale and presentation that can only be achieved on a lake is a feature of the event, and the famous "Water Starmine," which causes semi-circular flowers to bloom one after another on the water, is a particularly impressive spectacle. The spectacular colors that decorate not only the night sky but also the surface of the lake are breathtakingly beautiful. The sound of the fireworks reverberates loudly as the area is surrounded by mountains on all sides, making the show even more powerful. There are also seats available for spectators for a fee.
Also, from late July to late August (except August 15), "Lake Suwa Summer Night Fireworks" is held every night for about 10 minutes, accompanied by music. Visitors can watch the fireworks at their leisure from the lakeside park, avoiding the crowds. Fireworks cruising is also available, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the large fireworks blooming in the night sky from the lake.

Local Guide Comment
From September to October, the "National New Fireworks Challenge Cup 2025" is held, where pyrotechnicians compete with their newest fireworks. You can see highly artistic fireworks created with innovative ideas and superior techniques.
77th Suwa Lake Festival Lake Fireworks Display
  • Address Lakeside Park, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
  • Business Hours August 15 (Fri), 2025 from 19:00
  • TEL 0266-52-4141 (Suwa Lake Festival Executive Committee Office <in Suwa City Hall Tourism Division>)
  • Parking Advance reservations are required.
  • Memo Rain or shine
    For more information about the "Lake Suwa Summer Night Fireworks" click here
    For details on the "National New Fireworks Challenge Cup 2025," click here.

MAP

Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
Return to article top
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.