Kasumigaura Festival Fireworks Display
Jul 18, 2026 · ✍️ olablog · ⏱ 5 min read
🎆 Plan your fireworks night
Annual guide to Kasumigaura Festival Fireworks Display: usual timing, viewing spots and access. Dates for next year follow the organisers' announcement.
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▶ Open on YouTube — like & subscribeThe Kasumigaura Festival Fireworks Display: A Summer Tradition Illuminating the Night Sky over Lake Kasumigaura
The Kasumigaura Festival Fireworks Display, a beloved summer tradition in Kasumigaura City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is the grand finale of the Ayumi Festival, a major event held at Ayumi Park on the shores of Lake Kasumigaura. Approximately 2,000 fireworks launched from the lake illuminate the summer night sky and the surface of the water in brilliant colors.
Event Information
Details Ayumi Park, located on the shores of Lake Kasumigaura, is known as one of the most scenic spots within Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park. The park is home to the Kasumigaura City Museum of History, an aquarium, Ayumian, and a traditional farmhouse garden, creating beautiful scenery where the waterfront blends harmoniously with lush greenery. The fireworks are launched from Lake Kasumigaura offshore from Ayumi Park, and can be viewed not only from within the park but also from various locations along the lakeshore.
Access
By Train
The nearest station is Kandatsu Station on the JR Joban Line. It takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes by taxi from Kandatsu Station to the venue at Ayumi Park. A shuttle bus is scheduled to run from Kandatsu Station to the venue on the day of the fireworks display, making it a convenient option for those using public transportation.
By Car
The venue can be reached in approximately 20 to 35 minutes by car from either the Tsuchiura-Kita IC or the Chiyoda-Ishioka IC on the Joban Expressway. Free parking lots will be available around the venue, but spaces are limited, so visitors are encouraged to carpool. In previous years, Wakaguri Sports Park, Kasumigaura Kita Elementary School, and the Multipurpose Sports Park have been used as temporary parking areas, with shuttle buses sometimes operating from these locations. Traffic restrictions, including one-way traffic, may be implemented in some areas around the venue during festival hours, so please follow local directions.
※Please Note Severe congestion is expected after the fireworks display, both on roads leading to the nearest station and at parking lot exits. Please pay close attention to the last train departure time for your return journey.
Paid Seating and Tickets
As of 2026年7月, no official announcement has been confirmed regarding dedicated paid seating for the 2026 Kasumigaura Festival Fireworks Display. In some years, as part of the Ayumi Festival, tickets may be offered for sightseeing boats viewing special operations by traditional sailing fishing boats, as well as invitations to special viewing areas with dinner. However, these are different from paid seating specifically for the fireworks display, so please check the official website for the latest information.
Lesser-Known Viewing Spots
For those who want to avoid the crowds and enjoy the fireworks at a more relaxed pace, here are several recommended lesser-known viewing spots.
Around the Kasumigaura City Museum of History (inside Ayumi Park) The Kasumigaura City Museum of History in Ayumi Park is a distinctive building modeled after Dejima Castle. From the area around the museum, you may be able to watch the fireworks rising over the lake with the illuminated museum in the background. Its location slightly away from the main venue may offer a relatively peaceful viewing experience.
Lake Kasumigaura shoreline (Tabuse and Yokosuka areas) The Lake Kasumigaura shoreline a short distance from Ayumi Park, particularly the Tabuse and Yokosuka areas, is known as a hidden viewing spot where visitors can enjoy the enchanting sight of fireworks reflected on the surface of the lake. With few tall buildings nearby, you can enjoy an unobstructed and leisurely view of the display.
Rural areas of Ishioka City and Kasumigaura City The rural areas of Ishioka City and Kasumigaura City, which spread to the north and east of Tsuchiura City, are hidden spots where you can fully appreciate the beautiful colors of the fireworks themselves, thanks to the lack of tall buildings and bright lights. Along roads leading to the Lake Kasumigaura shoreline, you may sometimes find spaces where you can park and watch the display.
Kasumigaura Comprehensive Park (Tsuchiura City) Kasumigaura Comprehensive Park in Tsuchiura City is a spacious park offering distant views of the fireworks with Lake Kasumigaura as a backdrop. Since it is some distance from the main venue, it may not be ideal for those seeking a powerful, up-close experience. However, it is recommended for visitors who want to avoid the crowds and enjoy the fireworks in a wide-open space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is parking available? A. Free parking lots will be available around the venue, but spaces are limited. In previous years, Wakaguri Sports Park and other locations have been used as temporary parking areas, with shuttle buses sometimes operating from there. As heavy congestion is expected on the day, we recommend using public transportation or carpooling whenever possible.
Q. What happens in case of rain? A. The fireworks display will be canceled in the event of severe weather. If it is canceled, the fireworks are scheduled to be held on another day as a tourism event. The festival itself will go ahead in rainy weather, but whether the fireworks will be held may change depending on the weather conditions that day. Please check the official website and other sources for the latest information before setting out.
Q. Where are the fireworks launched? A. The fireworks are launched from Lake Kasumigaura offshore from Ayumi Park. This allows the light from the fireworks to be reflected on the surface of the lake, creating an even more beautiful spectacle.
🎆 Make a trip of it — tours near the fireworks
Day tours departing from the nearest city — tour by day, fireworks by night.
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