Hida Takayama Handheld Fireworks Festival: August 9, 2025

The Hida Takayama Handheld Fireworks Festival, held annually on August 9, is a summer tradition of Takayama City. Learn the event highlights, venue, and other details.

Written by

MATCHA-NEWS

Let MATCHA share with you the latest information on Japan travel, tourist attractions, food, and entertainment.

This service includes sponsored advertisements.

Hida Takayama Handheld Fireworks: A Summer Tradition in Takayama

On August 9, Takayama City will host its famous Hida Takayama Handheld Fireworks Festival.

This traditional event is held every year on August 9, which, when pronounced in Japanese, contains a wordplay of "8" (ya) and "9" (ku), symbolizing the wish for warding off evil spirits.

On the riverbank of the Miyagawa River, where the event takes place, a special platform is set up, and approximately 40 torch groups will set fire to bamboo tubes by hand.

The fire columns, which reach heights of 8 to 10 meters, burn fiercely in the night sky with loud explosions, and their majestic display overwhelms onlookers.

During approximately 90 minutes, about 180 handheld fireworks are launched, with spectators united in prayers for warding off evil and misfortune.

Hida Takayama Handheld Fireworks Festival: Event Outline

Event Date: August 9, 2025
Time: 19:30 – 21:00
Location: Miyagawa River flowing through Takayama City (from Miyamae Bridge to downstream of Yayoi Bridge)

Notes

- Traffic restrictions will be in place around the venue starting around 18:00 on the day.
- Please refrain from reserving spots that may obstruct traffic.
- There is no viewing area near Yayoi Bridge.
- There are no paid seating options available.

Read also

All pictures courtesy of Takayama City
Information and image source: PR TIMES

Written by

MATCHA-NEWS

Let MATCHA share with you the latest information on Japan travel, tourist attractions, food, and entertainment.

The information presented in this article is based on the time it was written. Note that there may be changes in the merchandise, services, and prices that have occurred after this article was published. Please contact the facility or facilities in this article directly before visiting. Some of our articles contain affiliate links. We kindly ask our readers to exercise careful judgement when making a purchase or booking a service online.