Shizuoka – Bentenjima Fireworks Festival

Access

Public transportation is the most convenient way to get to the Bentenjima Fireworks Festival.

• By train

  • The nearest station is Bentenjima Station on the JR Tokaido Main Line.
  • Bentenjima Seaside Park is only about a 3-minute walk from Bentenjima Station, making it easy to find even for first-time visitors.
  • Local trains take approximately 12 minutes from JR Hamamatsu Station to Bentenjima Station.
  • Trains and the station will be extremely crowded on the day of the festival, so it is strongly recommended that you charge your transportation IC card, such as TOICA, in advance. This will reduce the time spent queuing to buy tickets or settle fares.
  • Be sure to check the last train for your return journey. After 20:30, immediately following the fireworks, the area around Bentenjima Station will be at its busiest. Enshu Railway plans to operate additional 4-car trains from the 21:40 departure through the last train (23:40 departure) to help ease congestion. To avoid the crowds, consider waiting a little after the fireworks end instead of heading straight to the station.

• By car

  • No parking lots or bicycle parking areas are available for general visitors near the venue. Please note that the normally available parking lot at Bentenjima Seaside Park will also be closed on the day of the fireworks festival.
  • Traffic restrictions will be imposed on roads around Bentenjima Seaside Park from the evening. Check the Maisaka Tourism Association’s official website for the latest traffic restriction map.
  • If you are considering driving, it is wise to use a park-and-ride service by leaving your car at a station farther away and continuing by train. For example, visitors are advised to use coin-operated parking lots around Takatsuka Station or Maisaka Station, then take the JR Tokaido Line to Bentenjima Station.

Reserved Seating and Tickets

Reserved seating is available at the Bentenjima Fireworks Festival for a more comfortable viewing experience.

• Priority viewing seats

  • Reserved sections consisting of 4 chairs and 1 table are available for purchase.
  • The price is 15,000円, with only 150 sets available.
  • Tickets are sold through Ticket Pay and can be purchased until 19:29 on the day of the event.
  • Dedicated camera seats are also available. These seats are recommended for visitors who want to photograph the fireworks using a tripod. Tripods are prohibited in all other areas.

• Hotel accommodation packages and special viewing seats

  • The nearby hotel The Ocean offers accommodation packages exclusively for the Bentenjima Fireworks Festival. Options include rooms on the lake side with views of the fireworks and special viewing seats within the hotel grounds (3F terrace seats: adults 10,000円; 1F poolside seats: adults 8,000円, among others). Guests can enjoy the fireworks with light snacks and free drinks.

For details about reserved seating, check the official Maisaka Tourism Association website and the various ticket sales websites.

Lesser-Known Viewing Spots

The main venue, Bentenjima Seaside Park, gets extremely crowded, but with a little planning, there are several lesser-known spots where you may be able to enjoy the fireworks in a more relaxed setting. However, some of these locations are not officially designated viewing areas. Be sure to check the day’s traffic restrictions, facility rules, and no-entry zones, and avoid parking or watching the fireworks from the road.

1. Bentenjima Seaside Park (main free viewing area)

   • Although it gets crowded, this is the best location for enjoying the fireworks up close directly in front of the torii gate. Toilets and water facilities are also available, making it a convenient choice. If you want to secure a good spot, it is recommended that you lay out a picnic sheet and reserve your space by around 16:00.

2. Lakeshore around Ikarise and Nagisaen

   • The lakeshore around Ikarise and Nagisaen, a short distance from Bentenjima Seaside Park, is another lesser-known option. You may be able to enjoy the fireworks along with expansive views of Lake Hamana while avoiding the crowds at the main venue.

3. Bentenjima Station platform and surrounding area

   • The fireworks can sometimes be seen from the Bentenjima Station platform and nearby areas. One option is to head to the station a little early to avoid the crowds after the fireworks and enjoy the lingering atmosphere while waiting for your train.

4. Opposite shore toward the Hamamatsu Boat Racecourse

   • The opposite shore toward the Hamamatsu Boat Racecourse may also offer a relatively relaxed view of the fireworks. Although it is farther away, you may be able to appreciate the overall display across a wider area.

5. Toward Arai Benten Seaside Fishing Park

   • The area toward Arai Benten Seaside Fishing Park, west of Bentenjima, is another option for those hoping to avoid the crowds. However, it is not an official viewing area, so follow local rules and prioritize safety while watching the fireworks.

6. Elevated areas such as Ushiroyama Park

   • The fireworks will look smaller from a distance, but the advantage of an elevated location is that you can take in the townscape along with the display. This can be a peaceful option for families with young children or anyone who dislikes crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What time should I arrive to reserve a spot?
A. If you want to secure a good spot at the main venue, Bentenjima Seaside Park, it is best to lay out a picnic sheet several hours before the fireworks begin—specifically, by around 16:00. If you plan to enjoy the daytime “2026 Hamanako Summer Festa,” arriving around 14:00 should make things easier.

Q. What happens if it rains?
A. The Bentenjima Fireworks Festival will go ahead in light rain, but it will be canceled in severe weather such as a typhoon. Check the latest information on the official Maisaka Tourism Association website and other official sources to confirm whether the event will be held.

Q. Will there be food stalls at the venue?
A. Specific information about the food stalls and their layout for 2026 has not yet been announced. However, many stalls have operated in previous years, and organizers announced in 2025 that “many vendors will be setting up.” It is therefore highly likely that visitors will once again be able to enjoy a variety of festival foods around the venue in 2026.