
Saitama – 10 Oct Burn On! Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division!! The Kounosu Fireworks Festival
The Kounosu Fireworks Festival, featuring the world's largest Yonshakudama (four-shaku shell), a Guinness World Record challenge, and a Blue Impulse aerobatic display. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the 2026 event, including schedule, access, hidden viewing spots, and paid seating information.
Jul 14, 2026·✍️ olablog·⏱ 8 min read
The Kounosu Fireworks Festival, featuring the world's largest Yonshakudama (four-shaku shell), a Guinness World Record challenge, and a Blue Impulse aerobatic display. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the 2026 event, including schedule, access, hidden viewing spots, and paid seating information.
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Held annually in autumn in Kounosu City (鴻巣市), Saitama Prefecture, the "Burn On! Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division!! Kounosu Fireworks Festival" is one of Japan's leading large-scale fireworks displays, renowned for its world's largest Yonshakudama (四尺玉 - four-shaku shell) and the breathtaking grand finale called "Hoo Ranbu" (鳳凰乱舞 - Dance of the Phoenix). In 2026, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Youth Division's establishment, a challenge for a Guinness World Record and an aerobatic display by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse are also planned, making it a special event expected to attract more attention than usual.
Event Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Burn On! Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division!! The 23rd Kounosu Fireworks Festival |
| Date | October 10, 2026 (Saturday) |
| Time | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM (tentative) |
| Venue | Nukata Sports Ground (糠田運動場) and Arakawa Riverbed (荒川河川敷), Kounosu City (鴻巣市), Saitama Prefecture |
| Number of Fireworks | Approximately 20,000 (tentative) |
| Estimated Attendance (Annual) | Approximately 600,000 (based on 20th festival attendance) |
| In Case of Rain | Held in light rain, canceled in case of severe weather. No postponement. |
Venue and Map
The venue for the Kounosu Fireworks Festival is the Nukata Sports Ground (糠田運動場) and the Arakawa Riverbed (荒川河川敷) in Kounosu City (鴻巣市), Saitama Prefecture. Against the backdrop of the vast Arakawa Riverbed, which boasts the widest river width in Japan, spectacular fireworks are launched. In particular, the world's heaviest Yonshakudama (四尺玉 - four-shaku shell) and the grand finale "Hoo Ranbu" (鳳凰乱舞 - Dance of the Phoenix), consisting of 300 shakudama (尺玉 - one-shaku shells), are truly breathtaking, and experiencing their power up close is the highlight of this venue. In 2026, an aerobatic display by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse is also planned, taking advantage of the venue's spaciousness.
Access
Using public transportation is recommended for accessing the Kounosu Fireworks Festival venue.
Access by Train
- From the West Exit of JR Takasaki Line's Kounosu Station (鴻巣駅), it's approximately a 30 to 40-minute walk. However, due to heavy crowds in the evening on the day of the festival, it may take up to an hour.
- It's also about a 40-minute walk from JR Takasaki Line's Kita-Kounosu Station (北鴻巣駅). For those returning towards Kumagaya (熊谷) or Takasaki (高崎), using Kita-Kounosu Station can be considered as a way to avoid congestion.
- On the day of the festival, bus services around the venue may be suspended or altered, so it's generally best to plan on walking from the station.
Access by Car
- It's approximately 39 minutes from Higashimatsuyama IC (東松山IC) on the Kan-Etsu Expressway (関越自動車道), about 25 minutes from Okegawa-Kano IC (桶川加納IC) on the Ken-O Expressway (圏央道), about 54 minutes from Yono IC (与野IC) on the Shuto Expressway (首都高), and about 55 minutes from Kazo IC (加須IC) or Hanyu IC (羽生IC) on the Tohoku Expressway (東北道).
- Paid parking lots will be available around the venue, but they become extremely crowded, so using public transportation is strongly recommended. Typically, roads around the venue start to get congested after 2:00 PM, and parking lots can be full by 3:00 PM.
- Traffic regulations are scheduled to be implemented around the venue from approximately 4:00 PM.
Please Note the Last Train for Your Return Journey
After the fireworks festival ends, the nearest Kounosu Station (鴻巣駅) and Kita-Kounosu Station (北鴻巣駅) will be extremely crowded. In particular, the road from Kounosu Station West Exit (鴻巣駅西口) towards the station is expected to be congested. It is recommended to allow ample time for your return train journey and to check the last train times in advance. Consider using an IC card like Suica for smooth travel.
Paid Seating / Tickets
For the 2026 "Burn On! Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division!! The 23rd Kounosu Fireworks Festival," the following paid viewing seats are available. Tickets went on sale starting May 30, 2026 (Saturday) via Lawson Ticket.
- Nukata Venue 1 (糠田第1会場)
- Blue Sheet Box Seats (for 4 people): ¥30,000 (approx. $200)
- Chair Seats (for 2 people): ¥18,000 (approx. $120)
- Nukata Venue 2 (糠田第2会場)
- Blue Sheet Box Seats (for 5 people): ¥25,000 (approx. $167)
- Chair Seats (for 1 person): ¥7,000 (approx. $47)
Notes on Ticket Purchase
- Preschool children can enter without a ticket only if they watch from an adult's lap.
- The event will be held even in light rain, as long as it does not hinder the fireworks launch. In case of severe weather, it will be canceled with no postponement.
- Refunds will be issued if the event is canceled before it begins. However, please note that if the fireworks display is partially canceled due to worsening rain or other reasons after it has started and before its scheduled end, refunds will not be issued.
- Cancellations due to personal reasons after purchase are not permitted.
- The area near the entrance becomes very crowded just before the fireworks begin, so early entry and seating are recommended.
- If you arrive by car, ticket refunds will not be issued if you are unable to reach the venue due to traffic regulations or full parking lots, so it is important to arrive with plenty of time.
Hidden Gem Spots
For those who wish to enjoy the fireworks while avoiding crowds, we introduce several hidden gem spots. However, these locations are also expected to be crowded on the day, so we recommend arriving early to secure your spot.
Riverbed around the Poppy Fields (Fukiage Area - 吹上エリア) This is the riverbed around Cosmos Arena Fukiage (コスモスアリーナふきあげ), located upstream (north side) from the main venue. While famous for its poppies in spring, the area is also open during the fireworks festival, offering a chance to view the fireworks from a distance. Free viewing spaces may also be opened.
Yoshimi General Sports Park (吉見総合運動公園) This is a vast park located in Yoshimi Town (吉見町), adjacent to Kounosu City (鴻巣市). Situated on the Arakawa Riverbed (荒川河川敷), it is a bit further from the fireworks venue but offers the possibility of viewing the fireworks in a relatively relaxed setting. Paid parking may also be available.
Embankment near Nukata Hikawa Shrine (糠田氷川神社) This embankment is located behind the launch site, offering the possibility of seeing powerful fireworks up close. However, please note that there are very few spots available for viewing from the embankment area of the Nukata (糠田) venue.
Near Onari Bridge (御成橋) This area is around a bridge located a little distance from the venue. It allows for a panoramic view of the entire fireworks display, making it suitable for enjoying wide-ranging starmines and other displays.
Elumi Kounosu Shopping Mall (エルミ鴻巣ショッピングモール) It may be possible to view the fireworks from the rooftop parking lot of this shopping mall. This could be a good option for those who prefer to watch in a less crowded, more relaxed environment. However, please confirm viewing availability and conditions with the facility in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are there traffic regulations on the day of the fireworks festival? A. Yes, traffic regulations are scheduled to be implemented around the venue from approximately 4:00 PM on the day of the fireworks festival. If you plan to come by car, there is a possibility that you may not be able to reach the venue due to traffic regulations or full parking lots, so using public transportation is recommended.
Q. Is it possible to reserve a spot at the venue? A. In the free viewing areas, it is possible to reserve a spot, but spreading sheets or other items to reserve a spot before 7:00 AM is prohibited. Please note that if sheets are spread out, they may be folded, and if unattended, they may be removed. Paid viewing seats are assigned to specific locations.
Q. Will tickets be refunded if the fireworks festival is canceled? A. Refunds will be issued if the event is canceled before it begins. However, if the fireworks display is partially canceled due to worsening rain or other reasons after it has started and before its scheduled end, refunds will not be issued. Details regarding refunds will be provided in accordance with the rules of Lawson Ticket, where the tickets were purchased.
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