Hita River Opening Tourism Festival Fireworks Display
Jul 15, 2026 · ✍️ olablog · ⏱ 7 min read
🎆 Plan your fireworks night
Annual guide to Hita River Opening Tourism Festival Fireworks Display in Oita: when it is usually held, best viewing spots, access and practical tips.
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▶ Open on YouTube — like & subscribeHeld every year in late May in Hita City, Oita Prefecture, the Hita River Opening Tourism Festival is Hita’s largest festival, marking the opening of ayu fishing season in the Chikugo River system and the arrival of the cormorant fishing season. The fireworks display, held over two consecutive nights, is particularly well known as “Western Japan’s most visceral fireworks display.” Thanks to the basin’s distinctive geography, surrounded by mountains, the sound of the fireworks echoes across the hills, allowing visitors to feel the vibrations throughout their entire bodies. Around 10,000 fireworks vividly illuminate the night sky and the surface of the river, captivating everyone who attends.
Event Overview
The 2026 Hita River Opening Tourism Festival Fireworks Display will be held on the following dates.
- Time: 19:40 - 21:00 (approximately 80 minutes)
- Venue: Around the Mikuma River (Hita City, Oita Prefecture)
- Number of Fireworks: Approximately 10,000 (total for 2 days)
- Estimated Crowd: Approximately 8万人
- Rain/Storm Contingency: Postponed to May 25 (Mon) 19:40 - 21:00 in case of severe weather
Venue and Map
The main fireworks venue is the area around the Mikuma River, which flows through Hita City, Oita Prefecture. The Mikuma River runs through the center of the Hita Basin and is surrounded by mountains, causing the sound of the fireworks to reverberate and allowing visitors to feel their power throughout their bodies. Lights from yakatabune boats and the torches used for cormorant fishing shimmer on the river, creating a magical atmosphere in which to enjoy the fireworks.
Access
The area around the Hita River Opening Tourism Festival Fireworks Display is expected to be extremely crowded during the festival. Using public transportation and planning to arrive early are strongly recommended.
By Train
It takes approximately 10 minutes to 17 minutes on foot from JR Kyudai Main Line’s Hita Station to the area around the venue. The area around Hita Station is also part of the festival grounds, with various events taking place there.
The station is expected to be extremely crowded after the fireworks end, so check your return train schedule in advance and allow plenty of time.
By Car
The venue is approximately 10 minutes by car from the Hita Interchange on the Oita Expressway.
Traffic restrictions will be in place around the venue, so check the official website and other sources in advance.
Parking
In previous years, temporary free parking lots were provided. From 2026, however, reservations and paid parking will be introduced at some riverside parking areas to ease congestion and support the festival’s sustainable operation. Reservations can be made through the smart parking app “akippa.”
- Priority Sales for Residents: 2026年4月10日（金）10:00 ～ 4月20日（月）18:00
- Fee: 1日1,000円
- General Sales: 2026年4月21日（火）10:00 ～
- Fee: 1日2,000円
- Camper Vans (2-day continuous parking):
- Priority Sales for Residents: 7,000円
- General Sales: 8,000円
For details, check the akippa special website. Temporary parking lots will also be available at Tsukikuma Park Parking Lot, the Oita Prefecture Western Regional Promotion Bureau, Keirin Elementary School grounds, Hinokuma Elementary School grounds, and other locations. Be aware that conditions apply, including hours of use and restrictions on use during rainy weather.
Paid Seating and Tickets
No dedicated paid viewing area is provided for the Hita River Opening Tourism Festival Fireworks Display.
However, watching the fireworks from a paid yakatabune boat boarded at one of the hotels around the Mikuma River is a popular option among visitors. The view of the fireworks from the river is especially atmospheric, offering an elegant and memorable experience. For yakatabune reservations, contact the Hita Onsen Ryokan Association or the individual inns.
Lesser-Known Viewing Spots
For those who want to avoid the crowds and enjoy the fireworks at a leisurely pace, here are several recommended lesser-known viewing spots.
Misumikawa Park (みすみかわこうえん)
Located in Shote, Hita City, this park is approximately 22 minutes on foot from Hita Station. It is a popular spot offering a direct view of the fireworks, where visitors can relax and enjoy the display in a spacious setting. However, because it is close to the venue, crowds are expected to build as the launch time approaches, so arriving early to secure a spot is recommended.Mikuma River Riverside (East Side)
This area is a comfortable distance from the launch site and tends to be relatively less crowded. It is an ideal choice for those who want to watch the fireworks in a relaxed atmosphere.Kameyama Park (かめやまこうえん)
This viewing spot offers views of the fireworks from the side of the Hinokuma Elementary School grounds. One of its distinguishing features is that visitors can enjoy different scenery to the left and right, along with views of the hot-spring district. It has become increasingly popular in recent years, so arriving early is recommended.Kagamizaka Observation Deck (かがみざかてんぼうだい)
From here, you can enjoy the fireworks and Hita’s nighttime cityscape from a distance. The fireworks are less powerful than when viewed near the venue, but this spot is perfect for those who prefer to appreciate the display’s collaboration with the beautiful night view and focus on the overall atmosphere. Parking is also available, making it convenient to reach by car.Around 603 Ishii, Hita City
Although this area is a little farther from the venue, it is known as a lesser-known spot with fewer people and convenient parking. Even just before the fireworks begin, there is usually relatively plenty of space, and visitors may be able to relax on chairs or ground sheets while eating and drinking as they watch the display.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Will food stalls be available?
A. Yes. During the Hita River Opening Tourism Festival, many food stalls set up along the riverside roads of the Mikuma River, around the south plaza of JR Hita Station, near Chuo Park, and around Patria Hita. In addition to Hita specialties such as “toriten,” you can enjoy classic festival foods including takoyaki, yakisoba, and frankfurters.
Q. What happens in case of severe weather?
A. In the event of severe weather, the 2026 fireworks display will be postponed to the following day, 2026年5月25日（月）19:40～21:00. Check the official website and other sources for the latest information on whether the event will go ahead.
Q. Are there events besides the fireworks display?
A. Yes. The Hita River Opening Tourism Festival is a large-scale celebration featuring a wide range of events throughout the city, not just the fireworks display. Major events include the “Grand Music Parade” featuring elementary, junior high, and high school students from Hita City (5月23日), the “Marching Parade” and “Sui-kyo Hita Dontaku Carnival” (5月24日), and the “Hangiri Genpei Battle,” in which participants compete while riding oversized hangiri barrels. For details of each event, check the official websites of Hita City and the Hita City Tourism Association.
🎆 Make a trip of it — tours near the fireworks
Day tours departing from the nearest city — tour by day, fireworks by night.
