Fukushima – August 14 Asakano Summer Festival Fireworks Display

Access

If you are using public transportation, JR Koriyama Station is the nearest station. Take a bus bound for the Driver’s License Center from platform 7 or 9 in front of Koriyama Station, get off at the Ota-higashi bus stop, and walk approximately 15 minutes to the venue. Alternatively, take a Fukushima Transportation bus bound for Dreamland and get off at the final stop, “Dreamland,” which is right by the venue. The area is expected to be extremely crowded on the day of the fireworks display, so allow plenty of time for your journey.

If you are driving, the venue is conveniently located approximately 3 minutes from the Koriyama-minami Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway. Around 1,200 spaces are expected to be available at the Koriyama City Central Wholesale Market, a temporarily designated free parking area. Koriyama Culture Park also has approximately 2,000 free parking spaces. However, the surrounding roads and parking lots will be very congested on the day, so arriving early is recommended. Traffic jams are also expected on nearby roads after the fireworks display, so be sure to allow extra time.

Traffic restrictions will be in effect within the fireworks launch regulation zone from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14. Entering the restricted area during these hours is dangerous and could even lead to the fireworks display being canceled, so please do not enter under any circumstances.

Reserved Seating and Tickets

All reserved seating for the 2026 Asakano Summer Festival Fireworks Display has already sold out, including the cancellation waiting list.

For reference, reserved seating in 2025 was sold at ¥20,000 for one seat accommodating 4 people, including drinks and one parking space. A total of 100 seats were available. In addition, Koriyama City offered a special viewing package as a hometown tax donation reward for ¥210,000. The package accommodated up to 4 people and included a table, round-trip minibus transportation from Koriyama Station, an hors d’oeuvre made with ingredients from Koriyama City, and one bottle of the junmai ginjo sake “Asakano.”

In addition to the reserved seating, general viewing areas will be available in the viewing plaza at Koriyama Culture Park. However, please refrain from using chairs or tables, as they may inconvenience other visitors.

Lesser-Known Viewing Spots

Because the Asakano Summer Festival Fireworks Display is launched from a rural area, one of its major attractions is that it can be enjoyed from any direction. Here are several lesser-known spots where you can watch the fireworks at a more relaxed pace.

• Sasahara River Cherry Tree-Lined Avenue The cherry tree-lined stretch along the Sasahara River, a short distance south of the launch venue, is a popular walking route among local residents. Since it runs along the river, there are no tall buildings to block the view, making it a beautiful spot for watching the fireworks. Enjoying the display while listening to the gentle sound of the river creates a particularly atmospheric experience.

• Embankment Along the Abukuma River Although it is some distance from the venue, the embankment along the Abukuma River is also known as a relatively uncrowded place to watch the fireworks at leisure. The area is open, with few obstructions, so you can enjoy the spectacular displays from a distance.

• Narita Onsen Located near Koriyama Culture Park, Narita Onsen is a unique hidden spot where you can watch the fireworks while soaking in a hot spring. The fireworks can be seen clearly and at a considerable size, while the area is rarely crowded. It is recommended for those who want to indulge a little and enjoy a special fireworks-viewing experience.

• Elevated Area Near the Koriyama-minami Interchange Several elevated areas around the Koriyama-minami Interchange offer views of the fireworks from above. Although they are some distance from the venue, you can take in the full expanse of the display and appreciate its impressive scale.

These lesser-known viewing spots tend to be less crowded than the official viewing venue, but you may need to claim a spot, so arriving early is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Will the fireworks display be canceled if it rains?
A. The event will go ahead in light rain, but it will be canceled if there is a risk of strong typhoon-related winds of 10 m/s or more or heavy-rain disasters. The final decision is usually made 2 days before the event and announced on the official website.

Q. Is there parking near the venue?
A. Yes. Around 1,200 free parking spaces are expected to be available at the Koriyama City Central Wholesale Market as a temporarily designated parking area. Koriyama Culture Park also has approximately 2,000 free parking spaces. However, the area will be extremely crowded on the day, so arriving early is recommended. Please never park on the street or without permission on private property, as this could potentially result in the fireworks display being canceled.

Q. Will there be food stalls at the venue?
A. Yes. Around 100 food and drink stalls typically line the area around the venue, adding to the festival atmosphere. You can enjoy a variety of food and beverages, from classic festival fare such as yakisoba and shaved ice to local specialties.

Q. Can I bring my pet?
A. Pets are not permitted, as they may inconvenience other visitors. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.