Shiga Commemorative Event 2026 Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival
A comprehensive guide to the 2026 Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival, celebrating its 40th anniversary. Approximately 12,000 fireworks will illuminate the night sky over Lake Biwa in a two-part program. We provide the latest details on the date, venue, access, reserved seating, and recommended lesser-known viewing spots.
Jul 15, 2026·✍️ olablog·⏱ 6 min read
A comprehensive guide to the 2026 Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival, celebrating its 40th anniversary. Approximately 12,000 fireworks will illuminate the night sky over Lake Biwa in a two-part program. We provide the latest details on the date, venue, access, reserved seating, and recommended lesser-known viewing spots.
🎆 Watch Japan's most beautiful fireworks (4K video)
▶ Open on YouTube — like & subscribeHeld against the backdrop of Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa, the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival has captivated countless visitors as one of Shiga’s quintessential summer traditions. In 2026, the festival will celebrate its milestone 40th edition with special productions planned on an even larger scale than usual. Approximately 12,000 fireworks will vividly transform the night sky and the surface of the lake.
Event Overview
The 2026 Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival, marking its 40th anniversary, will continue the event’s traditions while introducing a new format for the first time: a two-part program. The first part will feature innovative productions combining a drone show, laser beams, music, and fireworks. The second part will offer spectacular classic fireworks, including the signature angled launches of large shell fireworks that have become synonymous with the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival.
| Item | Details The venue for the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival is the waters off Otsu Port, Shiga Prefecture. Fireworks launched over the vast expanse of Lake Biwa are reflected on the water, creating a fantastical scene.
Access
Using public transportation is strongly recommended for getting to the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival. Large-scale traffic restrictions will be in place around the venue, and no dedicated parking will be available, so it is wise to avoid arriving by car.
Access from the nearest stations
- JR Biwako Line Otsu Station: Approximately 15 minutes on foot to the venue.
- Keihan Railway Biwako-Hamaotsu Station: The closest and most convenient station, approximately 5 minutes on foot from the venue.
- JR Biwako Line Zeze Station and Keihan Zeze Station: Approximately 20 minutes on foot to the freely accessible eastern area of Nagisa Park.
Alternative routes during crowded periods The areas around JR Otsu Station and Keihan Biwako-Hamaotsu Station are expected to become extremely crowded after the fireworks display. It may take several hours to board a train home, so be sure to allow plenty of extra time. If you want to avoid the crowds, consider heading toward Oji-yama Sports Park, which provides access to the JR Kosei Line.
Please be mindful of the last trains As in previous years, the stations become extremely crowded after the fireworks display, and it can take a considerable amount of time to board a train. Check the last-train times for each line in advance and take care not to miss your train. Using a transportation IC card can help make boarding more seamless.
Reserved Seating and Tickets
Securing a reserved seat is recommended for a comfortable viewing experience at the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival. A variety of reserved seating options will be available for the 2026 event. Tickets will be sold through the official ticket website and other outlets.
Types of reserved seating and approximate prices
- Majika Seat: ¥112,000 (tax included). This pair seat is located closest to the launch site, allowing you to experience the fireworks up close from a pier extending out over Lake Biwa. Reclining seats and a private restroom are provided.
- Admission tickets (freely accessible eastern area of Nagisa Park):
- General-area admission ticket with Fast Pass: ¥5,500. Entry is available from 12:00.
- General-area admission ticket (without Fast Pass): ¥5,000. Entry is available from 14:00.
- This is a free-seating area where visitors watch the fireworks from leisure sheets distributed on the day. Please refrain from bringing chairs or leisure sheets and from reserving space, as they may obstruct the view of other guests.
- Camera-area admission ticket: Tripods are permitted, making this a recommended option for those who want to capture the fireworks as photographic works.
- Yacht Harbor Area: All seats are reserved, and entry is available from 17:00 on the day.
- Kishima Island Lakeside Green Space Viewing Seats: ¥4,000 (tax included). These assigned seats with chairs are located at Kishima Island Lakeside Green Space on the Kusatsu side of the lake. Food trucks will also be present, and visitors can enjoy views of the fireworks reflected on the water. However, due to the distance and viewing direction, the Part 1 drone show may not be visible. The gates open at 17:00.
- Biwako Hotel accommodation and day-trip viewing plans: Biwako Hotel offers accommodation and day-trip plans that include viewing seats and dinner.
Important notes Smoking is generally prohibited inside the paid viewing areas, except in designated smoking areas. Bringing food and beverages is also discouraged, except in the lakeside green space around the freely accessible Nagisa Park area. Ticket refunds are available only if the fireworks festival is not held.
Lesser-Known Viewing Spots
In addition to the reserved seating areas, there are several lesser-known spots where you can enjoy the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival.
- Otsu Lakeside Nagisa Park (free area) A free viewing area located within part of the main venue. It is close to the launch site, allowing you to experience the power of the fireworks up close.
- Biwako Otsukan Located within Yanagasaki Lakeside Park, Biwako Otsukan is a lesser-known spot where you can watch the fireworks at a more relaxed pace, with relatively smaller crowds.
- Oji-yama Sports Park Located on elevated ground within walking distance of Otsukyo Station on the JR Kosei Line, this park offers views across Lake Biwa as you enjoy the fireworks. Since you can use the JR Kosei Line on the way home, it is easier to avoid the crowds around the main venue.
- Otsu City Museum of History Situated on a small hill behind Otsu City Hall, this spot offers a clear view of the launch site. The scenery unique to Lake Biwa, combining fireworks, the surface of the lake, and the nighttime cityscape, is especially appealing, making it a popular photography location.
- Karasaki and Sakamoto areas These areas offer distant views of the fireworks spreading across the lake and are recommended for those who want to enjoy the display amid expansive scenery or capture the entire panorama with a camera.
These lesser-known spots are also expected to become crowded, so plan to arrive early to secure a viewing spot and make use of public transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival held in the rain? A. The event will go ahead in light rain, but it will be canceled in severe weather, such as heavy rain, strong winds, or thunderstorms, and will not be postponed. The decision on whether the event will be held is scheduled to be announced on the official website after 10:00 on the morning of the event.
Q. Is there parking near the venue? A. No parking lot is provided specifically for the fireworks festival. Large-scale traffic restrictions will be implemented around the venue, and the area will become extremely crowded, so visitors are asked to use public transportation.
Q. Can reserved-seat tickets be refunded? A. Ticket refunds are available only if the fireworks festival is not held. Refunds due to the customer’s circumstances are not possible, so please be aware of this in advance.
🎆 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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