[Updated in part for 2026] Lake Biwa Grand Fireworks Festival and 4 other fireworks festivals in Shiga! Dates and highlights explained.

The Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival is held every August. Did you know that fireworks are actually launched in neighboring areas from mid-July leading up to the festival's spectacular finale? In this article, we will introduce recommended fireworks festivals around Lake Biwa.

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Ogoto Hot Spring Yumotokan

Ogoto Onsen is said to have been opened about 1,200 years ago by Dengyo Daishi Saicho to reward the work of the craftsmen who built Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei, a World Heritage Site. Among them, Yumotokan is a long-established inn with a history of 96 years. The secret to its popularity is its four different hot springs, including an open-air bath overlooking Lake Biwa from the 11th floor and an open-air bath that gives the illusion of being a hot spring in the forest, as well as its Kyoto-style kaiseki meals made with carefully selected seasonal ingredients, including "certified Omi beef," one of Japan's three great wagyu beef brands. Although it is only 20 minutes by train from Kyoto, this inn allows you to feel the warmth of nature and Japan, such as Lake Biwa and the Hira mountain range.

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In this article, Yumotokan , a long-time hospitality hotel in Shiga Onsen, Shiga, will introduce the highlights of notable fireworks festivals, including the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival in 2025. Be sure to create unforgettable summer memories along with the beautiful fireworks.

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Table of Contents
Fireworks Countdown to the Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival
Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival, Easy Access from Kyoto too!
Aichigawa Gion Summer Fireworks
Otsu Shiga Fireworks Festival
Koka-ryu Ninnin Fireworks Festival
Ogoto Onsen Summer Fireworks Festival
Ogoto Onsen Yumotokan: A Hidden Spot to Enjoy the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival

Fireworks Countdown to the Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival

The Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival is Shiga Prefecture's representative summer fireworks festival. It is held every August and attracts many visitors from all over the Kansai region, as well as Shiga Prefecture.

However, that's not all there is to fireworks in Shiga Prefecture. In fact, from mid-July, many fireworks festivals are held in the neighboring areas of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, and the area comes together to enliven the summer in the run up to the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival, like a fireworks relay.

In this article, we will introduce the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival and the unique fireworks being held in the surrounding areas leading up to the festival.

Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival, Easy Access from Kyoto too!

Date: August 6, 2026 (Thursday) Launch Time: 19:30 - 20:30

The Lake Biwa Grand Fireworks Festival, held annually on the shores of Lake Biwa, will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026. This popular fireworks display in the Kansai region attracts approximately 300,000 people from all over Kansai each year, filling the shores of Lake Biwa. Around 10,000 fireworks, including starbursts and 3- to 10-inch shells, are launched against a backdrop of rich natural scenery. Visitors can enjoy the fireworks blooming in the night sky from the lakeside, along with sightseeing and local cuisine.

Aichigawa Gion Summer Fireworks

Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025 Launch time: 19:30~

This fireworks display, which began as a festival at Gion Shrine in the early Meiji period, boasts the longest history in Shiga Prefecture. Gion Shrine is known as the guardian deity of the bridge over the Echi River and is known for its blessings of traffic safety. Approximately 3,500 fireworks will brilliantly light up the summer sky of the lake country.

Otsu Shiga Fireworks Festival

Date: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Launch time: 19:30

A fireworks display in Otsu City , Shiga Prefecture . Approximately 2,000 fireworks are launched from Lake Biwa, including star mines, underwater star mines, and Otama. The launch site is close to the viewing area, so you can enjoy a spectacular display of fireworks. The sight of the colorful fireworks reflected on the dark lake surface is exceptional. It is easily accessible, just a five-minute walk from the nearest station, and there are food stalls set up around the venue, so you can enjoy the fireworks while eating and drinking, which is a nice feature.

Koka-ryu Ninnin Fireworks Festival

Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Launch time: 19:45~

The Ninnin Fireworks Festival colors the summer in Koka City. It takes place on the banks of the Yasu River River, and about 1,500 shots are launched into the summer night sky, making for some of the most impressive fireworks in Shiga Prefecture. Other highlights include the local mascot "Ninjaemon" and fireworks inspired by shuriken. On the day of the festival, there is also a "Ninnin Yokocho" where you can enjoy local gourmet food and festival staple food stalls, so you can enjoy delicious food and fireworks together.

Ogoto Onsen Summer Fireworks Festival

Date: Friday, August 1, 2025 Launch time: 20:00~

The fireworks launched from Ogoto Onsen Port are a regular summer event loved by locals. Prior to the fireworks display, a summer festival will be held in the parking lot of Ogoto Onsen Tourist Park from 5pm, with 30 food trucks and other stores. We also recommend the "Cold Udon with Sudachi Citrus Fragrance" that is only available at the fireworks display and is sold at the café in the tourist park.

Ogoto Onsen Yumotokan: A Hidden Spot to Enjoy the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival

Ogoto Onsen Yumotokan: Stay at a Traditional Ryokan with Stunning Lake Biwa Views and Hot Springs

Shiga

Otsu

The best place to see the Ogoto Onsen Summer Fireworks Festival is from the open-air bath " Gesshin-no-Yu " at Yumotokan !

The open-air bath " Hanare Karoi Gesshin-no-Yu " Yumotokan is a hidden spot to watch the Ogoto Hot Spring fireworks . (On the day of the 2026 fireworks display, it will be the men's bath.) In addition, the luxury floors from the 10th to 8th floors of the "Hanare Karoi" annex, which have rooms with private open-air hot spring baths, are also hidden gems where you can enjoy the fireworks from your room. How about enjoying an early dinner in any of the other rooms, then taking a 5-minute walk in your yukata to watch the fireworks, and experiencing a luxurious summer day?

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Also, Ogoto Hot Spring Yumotokan will be holding its annual summer holiday "Omi Beef Bingo Game" from July 18th (Sat) to August 30th (Sun), 2026, starting at 8:30 PM. In which one lucky winner will receive 1 kg of certified Omi beef steak each day. (Limited to guests staying overnight or having dinner. Participation is free.) Why not come with your family or loved ones to create some wonderful summer memories this hot summer?

Visit the Ogoto Onsen Yumotokan's Official Website

Written by

Ogoto Hot Spring Yumotokan

Shiga

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