Doshin・UHB Fireworks Festival

Access

The area around the venue becomes extremely crowded on the day of the fireworks festival, so using public transportation is strongly recommended.

Nearest subway stations and routes for avoiding crowds: Nakajima-Koen Station and Horohira-Bashi Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway Namboku Line are expected to be extremely crowded on the day of the fireworks festival. From a certain time, controlled entry will be implemented, with visitors being directed along detours. Since it may not be possible to walk directly from the stations to the riverside, the following stations are recommended.

• Hosui-Susukino Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway Toho Line
• Gakuen-mae Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway Toho Line
• Nakanoshima Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway Namboku Line

All of these stations are approximately 5–10 minutes on foot from the venue, although it may take longer depending on crowd conditions. If you are walking from the Susukino area, especially heavy congestion is expected around Minami-Ohashi (Minami 9-jo Bridge), so consider approaching from the direction of Minami 7-jo Ohashi.

Traffic restrictions: Traffic restrictions will be in place on roads around the venue from around 18:00 until around 22:30. Major road closures will affect both banks between Toyohira Bridge and Minami 19-jo Ohashi, as well as Housui-dori, Kikusui-Asahiyama Park-dori, Shiroishi-Nakanoshima-dori, and other roads. The upstream sidewalks of Minami 7-jo Ohashi, Minami-Ohashi, and Horohira Bridge will also be closed, and there will be times when spectators cannot use the downstream sidewalks. Please take care.

Be careful not to miss the last train home: After the fireworks end, subway stations are expected to be extremely crowded, and it may take time to enter them. Nakajima-Koen Station and Horohira-Bashi Station are likely to be particularly congested, so using stations in a more distributed manner—such as Nakanoshima Station, Gakuen-mae Station, or Hosui-Susukino Station—can make the journey home smoother. Allow plenty of time and check the last train schedule in advance.

Paid Seating and Tickets

At the 2026 Doshin・UHB Fireworks Festival, paid viewing areas will be available in selected sections to help ease congestion and provide a more comfortable viewing experience.

• Seat type and price: A ticket for the paid area on the right bank costs ¥1,000.
• On-sale date: Sales began at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026. Tickets will no longer be available once capacity is reached, so purchasing early is recommended.
• Entry time: Admission to the paid area begins at 16:00 on the day of the event. Saving a spot before the area opens is not permitted.
• Important notes:
  • One ticket is required per person.
  • One preschool-aged child may enter free of charge per accompanying guardian.
  • Re-entry is not permitted once you leave the area.
  • Food trucks and beverage stands will be available inside the paid area, and bringing in bottled drinks and food is also permitted.
  • Tickets will not be refunded except if the event is held on the postponed date due to severe weather, or if the event is canceled on both dates.

Details about paid seating can be found on ticketing websites such as the Doshin Play Guide online store and eplus.

Lesser-Known Viewing Spots

The Toyohira River riverside is a free viewing area, but here are several lesser-known spots for those who want to enjoy the fireworks at a more leisurely pace while avoiding the crowds.

• Toyohira River riverside on the Nakanoshima side The fireworks are launched from the right bank of the Toyohira River (the Suishamachi side), but the riverside on the opposite, Nakanoshima side is generally less crowded and is also recommended as a spot for a clear view of the fireworks. It can be accessed from Nakanoshima Station on the Namboku Line.

• Nakajima Park This expansive park is close to the venue, allowing you to enjoy the sound and light of the fireworks at the same time. The park also features Shobu Pond, and last year some people reportedly enjoyed the fireworks from boats. It is just a short distance from Nakajima-Koen Station on the Namboku Line, although the area around the station is expected to be crowded.

• Around Horohira Bridge Although it is a little distance from the venue, this area is known for offering a straight-on view of the fireworks. However, traffic restrictions will prohibit passage and stopping on Horohira Bridge, so viewing from outside the restricted area—such as the riverside or a park near the bridge—is recommended.

• Mt. Moiwa Observatory Mt. Moiwa Observatory is ideal for those who want to enjoy the fireworks along with Sapporo’s nighttime cityscape. Although it is farther from the venue, it offers a romantic atmosphere for viewing the display.

• Norbesa Ferris Wheel You can also watch the fireworks from above aboard the Ferris wheel at Norbesa, a commercial complex in central Sapporo. It is recommended for anyone looking to enjoy the fireworks from a different perspective.

• Tenjinyama Green Space Tenjinyama Green Space is a good choice for those who want to enjoy the fireworks in a quiet, relaxed setting. It has parking and restrooms, making it suitable for families as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is parking available? A. No dedicated parking is provided for spectators at the Doshin・UHB Fireworks Festival. Large-scale traffic restrictions will be implemented around the venue on the day of the event, and nearby coin-operated parking lots are expected to fill up early. Using public transportation is strongly recommended.

Q. What happens if it rains? A. The fireworks festival will go ahead in rainy weather, but it will be postponed in severe weather, such as strong winds. The backup date in 2026 is Friday, August 7. If severe weather also affects the postponed date, the event will be canceled. The organizer will announce whether the event will take place on the morning of the day via its official website and official social media accounts, such as X, so be sure to check the latest information before heading out.

Q. Will there be food stalls at the venue? A. No large-scale food stall area is expected to be set up along the riverside, but food trucks and beverage stands are scheduled to operate inside some of the paid viewing areas. Food stalls may also appear in certain locations, such as along the roads near Horohira-Bashi Station and the riverside on the Nakajima Park side. Bringing food and drinks with you in advance is recommended.