
Kagawa – July 18 Kan'onji City Zengata Festival Fireworks Display
A detailed guide to the 2026 Kan'onji City Zengata Festival Fireworks Display, a beloved summer tradition in Kan'onji, Kagawa Prefecture. Covering everything you need to know before heading out, including the schedule, venue, access, lesser-known viewing spots, and whether paid seating is available.
Jul 19, 2026·✍️ olablog·⏱ 5 min read
A detailed guide to the 2026 Kan'onji City Zengata Festival Fireworks Display, a beloved summer tradition in Kan'onji, Kagawa Prefecture. Covering everything you need to know before heading out, including the schedule, venue, access, lesser-known viewing spots, and whether paid seating is available.
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▶ Open on YouTube — like & subscribeHeld every summer in Kan'onji, Kagawa Prefecture, the Kan'onji City Zengata Festival is one of the area's biggest annual events. The festival's opening-day highlight, the Zengata Fireworks Display, captivates crowds with a spectacular musical fireworks show that vividly lights up the night sky. In 2026, a variety of events will once again bring summer in Kan'onji to life.
Event Overview
The 61st Kan'onji Zengata Festival will take place over 2 days, Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19, 2026. The fireworks display is scheduled for the festival's opening day, Saturday, July 18.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | July 18 (Saturday) and 19 (Sunday), 2026 |
| Fireworks time | 20:00~20:15 (scheduled) ※The Zengata Fireworks will be held only on July 18 (Saturday) |
| Venues | Mouth of the Zaida River (fireworks launch site), Kan'onji Civic Hall (Hi-Staff Hall), shopping street venues, and others (festival as a whole) |
| Number of fireworks | Approximately 3,000 (some sources report approximately 4,000~4,500, while others do not disclose a figure) |
| Typical attendance | Approximately 40,000 people |
| In case of rain | Postponed to Sunday, July 19. If it is also difficult to hold the event on the 19th, it may be postponed again to Monday, July 20 (holiday). |
Venue and Map
The fireworks will be launched from the mouth of the Zaida River in Kan'onji. The main viewing areas are the viewing area in front of Kotohiki Kairo (for approximately the first 700 visitors) and the Ariakehama viewing area. Launched from the mouth of the Zaida River near Kotohiki Park, famous for its enormous “Zengata Sand Sculpture” drawn in the white sands of Ariakehama, the fireworks can be enjoyed with views of the Seto Inland Sea shoreline and pine groves.
Access
It takes approximately 30 minutes to walk from JR Kan'onji Station to the fireworks venue. By car, the venue is approximately 15 minutes from JR Kan'onji Station.
Using public transportation is recommended.
- By train: From Kan'onji Station on the JR Yosan Line, it takes approximately 5~6 minutes on foot to Kan'onji Civic Hall (Hi-Staff Hall), the main venue for the festival as a whole. The fireworks venue is approximately 30 minutes away on foot.
- By car: Approximately 8 minutes (approximately 4.5km) by car from the Takamatsu Expressway's Ōnohara IC, or approximately 15 minutes (approximately 8km) from the Takamatsu Expressway's Sanuki-Toyonaka IC.
- Parking: Approximately 2,000 free parking spaces are scheduled to be available around the venue, but public transportation is recommended because heavy congestion is expected. Temporary parking areas may also be provided. The prefectural Kotohiki Park parking lot can be used as free parking and is relatively close, approximately 3 minutes on foot from the venue.
- Traffic restrictions: Traffic restrictions, including road closures, are scheduled to be in place around the venue from around 18:00 to 22:00 during the fireworks.
- Last train: Since the fireworks are scheduled to end at around 20:15 (or around 20:30), be sure to check the time of the last train from JR Kan'onji Station in advance and allow plenty of time.
Paid Seating and Tickets
No paid viewing seats are available for the Kan'onji City Zengata Festival Fireworks Display. The fireworks can be viewed free of charge. The main viewing area in front of Kotohiki Kairo has a capacity limit of approximately 700 people on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is recommended.
Lesser-Known Viewing Spots
Here are several recommended spots for those who would like to avoid the crowds and enjoy the fireworks at a more relaxed pace.
- Ariakehama (around Kotohiki Kairo) Close to the mouth of the Zaida River, where the fireworks are launched, this spot offers an up-close view of the spectacular display. You can enjoy the fireworks together with the expansive seascape. The musical fireworks can only be experienced from the main viewing area, so those who also want to enjoy the music should stay near the main venue.
- Zengata Observatory This lookout offers sweeping views of central Kan'onji. From here, the fireworks can be enjoyed panoramically alongside the city lights and seascape. The finer details of the fireworks may be difficult to see, but it is ideal for those who want to take in the entire display at a leisurely pace.
- Takaya Shrine Located slightly uphill and somewhat farther from the launch site, this spot may allow you to enjoy the fireworks while avoiding the crowds. You can take in the contrast between the surrounding scenery and the fireworks.
- Yamada Fureai Green Space The park has lookout areas from which you can watch the fireworks. The display can also be viewed from the surrounding higher ground and riverbank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When will the 2026 fireworks display be held? A. The 2026 Kan'onji City Zengata Festival Fireworks Display will be held on Saturday, July 18. The fireworks are scheduled to run from 20:00 to 20:15.
Q. Is paid seating available? A. No paid viewing seats are scheduled to be provided for the 2026 Kan'onji City Zengata Festival Fireworks Display. The fireworks can be viewed free of charge.
Q. Is parking available? A. Approximately 2,000 free parking spaces are scheduled to be available around the venue, but severe congestion is expected on the day of the event. Public transportation is recommended, and parking facilities such as the prefectural Kotohiki Park parking lot can be used.
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