[Niigata] Visit the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks festivals! A recommended summer trip plan for 1 night and 2 days ♪
The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is one of the three major fireworks festivals in Japan and is highly popular nationwide. There are plenty of things to see, including the impressive and famous "Phoenix Fireworks for Reconstruction" and the spectacular "Shosan-shakudama" fireworks, which are synonymous with fireworks. Enjoy the summer in Niigata to the fullest with this 2-day, 1-night travel plan!
2 days/1 night
Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks festivals
The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is a fireworks festival that began with the purpose of "commemorating" and "praying for peace." It is held on a grand scale on the banks of the Shinano River on August 2nd and 3rd every year to commemorate those who died in the Nagaoka air raid on August 1st, 1945, and to pray for post-war reconstruction.
At the start of the event, pure white "Shiragiku" (white chrysanthemums) are launched into the sky in memory of the victims of the air raids, quietly lighting up the night sky. This is followed by a series of spectacular fireworks shows, captivating the audience for about two hours. The continuous fireworks, which instantly cover the night sky like "Niagara Falls," are like a giant bridge spanning the sky, and the spectacular spectacle is sure to become a lifelong memory!
![[Niigata] Visit the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks festivals! A recommended summer trip plan for 1 night and 2 days ♪](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2025/06/01-235041.webp)
1. The impressive "Shosan-shakudama" with a diameter of 650 meters
![[Niigata] Visit the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks festivals! A recommended summer trip plan for 1 night and 2 days ♪](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2025/06/01-235043.webp)
The most representative traditional firework of Nagaoka is the "Shosan-shakudama." It is the largest firework ball currently permitted by law, with a diameter of 90cm, a weight of 300kg, and an explosive content of about 80kg. When launched, a gigantic firework with a diameter of about 650 meters will bloom in the night sky, and you will be left breathless by its scale.
"Phoenix Fireworks for Recovery" - a display of hopes for recovery
The "Phoenix Fireworks for Recovery" are 10-size fireworks inspired by the immortal bird, the phoenix. Set to the tune of Hirahara Ayaka's famous song "Jupiter," fireworks will spread simultaneously across the night sky from six launch points spread over a distance of about 2 km. The fantastical display, which looks like a phoenix taking flight, overwhelms all who see it, leaving them speechless. Due to its grandeur, many visitors come every year just to see it, making it one of the most popular programs at the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival.
![[Niigata] Visit the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks festivals! A recommended summer trip plan for 1 night and 2 days ♪](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2025/06/01-235042.webp)
A two-day, one-night tour from Shinjuku! Nagaoka Fireworks Festival + Tanbara Lavender Park + Kiyotsukyo Gorge + Yokoteyama Observatory + Kusatsu Onsen + Shiraito Falls
Tour code: CR-0083-02, CR-0084-02
Price: 65,000-75,000 yen per person for 2-5 people Set date: 8/2, 8/3
Leaving Shinjuku by bus early in the morning, our first stop is the " Tanbara Lavender Park " spread across the plateau of Gunma Prefecture. The park, one of the largest in the Kanto region, is home to 50,000 lavender plants, making it the perfect spot to escape the heat in the summer. Next, we visit the " Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel ," a spectacular spot that is also a hot topic on social media. The tunnel, which is about 750 meters long, is dotted with artistic exhibits, and the mirror-like surface created by the water basins is particularly photogenic! This photogenic spot is sure to produce a photo that will be the envy of all visitors.
On the second day, we will go to Yokoteyama Manten View Terrace via Shiga Kogen in Nagano Prefecture. From the summit, you can see the vast nature of Shiga Kogen, and if the weather is good, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Japanese Alps. Then, we will go to Kusatsu Onsen , one of the three most famous hot springs in Japan. In the center of the hot spring town is the symbol of Kusatsu Onsen, the Yubatake, where you can experience the spring water and the unique water temperature adjustment technology up close. The last one we will introduce is Shiraito Falls, a tourist attraction that represents Karuizawa. The waterfall is about 3 meters high and 70 meters wide, and the countless delicate threads of water flowing down the rock walls create a fantastical landscape, almost like a natural curtain.
Travel by bus for easy access! From the spectacular views of the plateau to the historic hot springs, this is a luxurious two-day trip that allows you to enjoy everything efficiently.
![[Niigata] Visit the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks festivals! A recommended summer trip plan for 1 night and 2 days ♪](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2025/06/01-235050.webp)
Meeting place: Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Building Large Bus Parking Lot *Please arrive at the meeting place with plenty of time on the day of departure. The meeting place is a parking lot for large buses near the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, within walking distance of Shinjuku Station. An attendant will guide you on site, so you can participate with peace of mind.
Arrived at the Nagaoka fireworks venue.
![[Niigata] Visit the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks festivals! A recommended summer trip plan for 1 night and 2 days ♪](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2025/06/01-235051.webp)
Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Viewing Spots
If you want to enjoy the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival comfortably, we strongly recommend watching it from a paid seat. Seats are allocated by lottery every year, and are known to be difficult to obtain. However, if you join a tour with a travel agency, you can be sure of securing a seat, and you don't have to worry about transportation. Another big attraction is that you can efficiently visit spots that are difficult to reach on your own. This is the perfect plan for those who want to enjoy a fulfilling trip without hassle!
![[Niigata] Visit the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks festivals! A recommended summer trip plan for 1 night and 2 days ♪](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2025/06/01-235052.webp)
summary
In recent years, with the increase in tourists from overseas, fireworks festivals, which can be said to be a seasonal feature of the Japanese summer, are becoming more and more popular all over the country. This summer, why not visit the venue of the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of the most famous fireworks festivals in Japan, and have a moving experience with your family and friends that will be a lifelong memory?
Spots introduced in this itinerary
We offer a variety of travel services, mainly in the Kanto area, that allow you to enjoy the charms of each season, such as skiing, fireworks festivals, and experience plans. In the summer, tours of famous fireworks festivals around Japan and unique experience programs in Tokyo are popular. In the winter, we offer all-inclusive ski tours by bus from the Kanto region to popular ski resorts in Nagano and Niigata! If you're looking for a special trip to Japan, we'll suggest the perfect plan for you.
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