Koga Fireworks Festival Guide: Access, Seating and Viewing Spots

Venue and Map

The venue for the Koga Fireworks Festival is 古河ゴルフリンクス (Koga Golf Links) (渡良瀬川河畔 - Watarase River banks), located at 10-1 Nishimachi, Koga City, Ibaraki Prefecture. As it is a spacious riverbed, there are few buildings obstructing the view, making it relatively easy to see the fireworks.

View venue on Google Maps

Access

Using public transportation is highly recommended for accessing the Koga Fireworks Festival venue.

• Access by Train

  • From JR宇都宮線 (JR Utsunomiya Line) 古河駅 (Koga Station): The venue is approximately a 20-minute walk. Along the way from the station, numerous food stalls line the streets, allowing you to enjoy a festive atmosphere as you head to the venue.
  • From 東武日光線 (Tobu Nikko Line) 新古河駅 (Shin-Koga Station): This is the closest station, about a 5-minute walk to the venue.
  • Notes on Crowds: Both stations will be extremely crowded on the day of the festival. Especially during the return journey, the ticket gates will be congested, so it is strongly recommended to charge your transportation IC card (like SUICA or other IC cards) in advance. Also, be mindful of the last train times and plan your actions with ample time.

• Access by Car Severe traffic congestion is expected around the venue, so visitors are strongly advised to avoid coming by car.

  • Traffic Regulations: On the day of the festival, traffic regulations will be enforced from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM in the surrounding area, centered on 江戸町通り (Edo-cho Dori Street), with some sections becoming pedestrian-only.
  • Parking: Approximately 1,500 free parking spaces are planned, but official details for 2026 are currently being prepared. In the past, locations such as 古河市役所古河庁舎 (Koga City Hall Koga Main Building), 古河公方公園 (Koga Kubo Park), 古河福祉の森会館 (Koga Welfare Forest Hall), 古河第三小学校 (Koga Daini Elementary School), and 古河第六小学校 (Koga Dairoku Elementary School) were used as temporary parking lots. It may take 15-20 minutes to walk from these parking lots to the venue. Dedicated parking for paid seating ticket holders will also be available, but a parking pass is required.

Paid Seating and Tickets

The Koga Fireworks Festival offers paid viewing seats for a comfortable fireworks experience. To fully enjoy the power of Japan's largest San-shaku-dama, using paid seating is highly recommended.

Types and Prices of Paid Viewing Seats for 2026 (Planned):

• Headquarters Front Embankment Slope Seating: 23,100 JPY (up to 4 people) / approx. $154 USD
• Fairway SS Seating: 29,700 JPY / approx. $198 USD
• Fairway A Seating: 19,800 JPY / approx. $132 USD
• Fairway B Seating: 16,500 JPY / approx. $110 USD
• Fairway C Seating: 14,300 JPY / approx. $95 USD
• Fairway S Seating: 14,300 JPY / approx. $95 USD
• Photographer Seating: 22,000 JPY / approx. $147 USD

About Ticket Sales:

• Counter Sales: From 10:00 AM on Tuesday, June 9th, a portion of the Headquarters Front Embankment Slope Seating will be sold at the （一社）古河市観光協会 (Koga City Tourism Association) (2nd floor of 古河文学館 - Koga Literature Museum). From Tuesday, June 9th to Sunday, June 14th, there will be a priority sales period for local residents.
• Online Sales: Online sales will begin from 10:00 AM on Monday, June 15th. A portion of the Headquarters Front Embankment Slope Seating will also be available for online purchase.
• For more details on paid viewing seats, please check the official pages of the Koga City Tourism Association and ticket sales websites.

Hidden Gems

The area around the venue can be extremely crowded, so consider these hidden spots where you can enjoy the fireworks comfortably from a slightly more distant location.

Watarase River Embankment near Shin-Koga Station

This spot is relatively close to the launch site, allowing you to enjoy the full scope of the wide starmines. Access from 新古河駅 (Shin-Koga Station) is excellent, and it tends to be less crowded than the Koga Station side. While lower-altitude fireworks might be harder to see, the impact is still substantial.

Riverbed Downstream from the Venue

The riverbed slightly away from the paid seating area offers more space and is less crowded than the main venue. If you arrive early and spread out a leisure sheet, you can comfortably watch the fireworks.

古河公方公園 (Koga Kubo Park) (古河総合公園 - Koga Sogo Park)

This is a recommended spot for families with small children. You can relax in the spacious grounds while enjoying the fireworks.

渡良瀬遊水地 (Watarase Retarding Basin)

Although a bit of a distance from the venue, this spot is recommended for those who want to enjoy the fireworks leisurely in a wide-open space.

Around AEON Koga Store

The rooftop parking lot of イオン古河店 (AEON Koga Store) is also cited as a hidden gem. While it's further from the venue, you can get a good view of the fireworks, and the advantage is easy access to food and restrooms. However, please note that it may not always be freely accessible.

Along 十間道路 (Jikken Doro Road)

Known as a point where you can avoid crowds and enjoy a clear, unobstructed view of the fireworks.

What to Bring & Attire

Even on a summer night, the riverbed can be breezy and get chilly. To ensure a comfortable fireworks experience, prepare the following:

• Leisure Sheet / Cushion: Essential for sitting comfortably for extended periods.
• Insect Repellent: Mosquitoes can be prevalent near the river.
• Light Snacks & Drinks: While food stalls will be available around the venue, they can get crowded, so preparing some items beforehand is a good idea.
• Light Jacket or Cardigan: Nights can get cool, so a light layer is recommended.
• Rain Gear: In case of sudden weather changes, a raincoat is preferable to an umbrella as it won't obstruct others' views.
• Trash Bags: Please take all your trash with you.

Nearby Dining & Sightseeing

Before or after the fireworks festival, take the opportunity to explore the charms of Koga City. Known as "Ibaraki's Little Kyoto," Koga is a city rich in history and culture.

• Immerse yourself in history at the Koga Historical Museum (古河歴史博物館) or the Tenkoku Museum (篆刻美術館).
• Stroll through the streets that retain the atmosphere of a prosperous post town from the Edo period.
• Enjoy a meal at local restaurants. On the day of the fireworks, establishments like Denny's Koga Store (デニーズ古河店) in the vicinity are also available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is parking available? A. Approximately 1,500 free parking spaces are planned, but official details for 2026 are currently being prepared. Annually, 古河市役所古河庁舎 (Koga City Hall Koga Main Building), 古河公方公園 (Koga Kubo Park), 古河福祉の森会館 (Koga Welfare Forest Hall), 古河第三小学校 (Koga Daini Elementary School), and 古河第六小学校 (Koga Dairoku Elementary School) were used as temporary parking lots. Due to heavy congestion around the venue, using public transportation is recommended.

Q. Are there any traffic regulations? A. Yes, traffic regulations will be enforced around the venue on the day of the festival. Typically, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the surrounding area, centered on 江戸町通り (Edo-cho Dori Street), becomes a pedestrian-only zone, prohibiting vehicle traffic.

Q. Are there food and drink stalls? A. Yes, many food stalls typically set up shop. They are mainly concentrated along the path from JR 古河駅 (Koga Station) West Exit to the venue, around the entrance to 古河ゴルフリンクス (Koga Golf Links), and on the 渡良瀬川 (Watarase River) riverbed near the venue. Some stalls start operating in the early afternoon, becoming lively around 4:00 PM, and tend to close around 8:00 PM after the fireworks conclude.