Yamanashi – August 15 Nambu Fire Festival
Held every August 15 in Nambu Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, the Nambu Fire Festival is a spectacular summer tradition featuring traditional fire ceremonies and approximately 3,000 fireworks. From the 2026 event details and access information to lesser-known viewing spots, this guide has everything you need to fully enjoy the festival.
Jul 19, 2026·✍️ olablog·⏱ 5 min read
Held every August 15 in Nambu Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, the Nambu Fire Festival is a spectacular summer tradition featuring traditional fire ceremonies and approximately 3,000 fireworks. From the 2026 event details and access information to lesser-known viewing spots, this guide has everything you need to fully enjoy the festival.
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▶ Open on YouTube — like & subscribeHeld every August 15 in Nambu Town, Minamikoma District, Yamanashi Prefecture, the Nambu Fire Festival is a unique traditional event that has continued since the Edo period. It incorporates the meaning of the bon festival farewell fires, river memorial services, and mushiokuri rituals intended to protect rice crops from pests and disease. The mystical sight created by flames and fireworks lights up summer nights. This major event unique to Nambu Town combines solemn traditional ceremonies—including throwing torches, giant torches, lantern floating, and the “Hyakuhattai,” in which 108 firewood piles blaze along approximately 2km on both banks of the Fuji River—with approximately 3,000 fireworks.
Event Overview
| Item | Details Date of event | 2026年8月15日(土) Nambu Fire Festival Nambu Fire Festival 2026年8月15日(土) Held!
Venue and Map
The venue for the Nambu Fire Festival is the Fuji River riverbed, upstream and downstream of Nambu Bridge, in Nambu Town, Minamikoma District, Yamanashi Prefecture. At this venue, which stretches along both banks of the Fuji River, you can experience an impressive spectacle where the traditional fire festival ceremonies and fireworks come together.
Access
By Train
The nearest station is Utsubuna Station on the JR Minobu Line. It takes approximately 20 minutes to walk from the station to the venue. Special trains are scheduled to run on the day, but they are extremely crowded every year, so allow plenty of time. Return trains are also expected to be crowded, so be sure to check the last train time in advance.
By Car
The Chubu-Odan Expressway is the most convenient route.
- Tomizawa IC: Approximately 10 minutes via National Route 52
- Minobusan IC: Approximately 20 minutes
Important: Nambu IC on the Chubu-Odan Expressway, the interchange nearest the venue, is extremely congested, so access via “Tomizawa IC” or “Minobusan IC” is recommended.
Parking
Temporary parking lots with space for approximately 3,000 vehicles will be available around the venue. The parking fee is 500円 per vehicle. The parking lots are also expected to be crowded, so arriving early is recommended.
Traffic Restrictions
On the day of the festival, Nambu Bridge will be closed to traffic from 7:45 p.m. One-way traffic and other restrictions will also be implemented in various locations throughout the town, so please follow local instructions.
Paid Seating and Tickets
The Nambu Fire Festival does not have paid viewing seats. All seating is free, so bring a leisure sheet and enjoy the festival at your preferred location.
Lesser-Known Viewing Spots
Because the “Hyakuhattai” is lit along approximately 2km on both banks of the Fuji River, there are suitable viewing locations beyond the main venue.
- A spot a short distance from Nambu Bridge along the Fuji River riverbed: The area around Nambu Bridge, the main venue, is extremely crowded, but you may be able to enjoy the festival more comfortably from the riverbed a little farther away. In particular, you can take in a broad view of the band of Hyakuhattai flames together with the fireworks. It is also worth considering the opposite bank, away from the Utsubuna Station side.
- Elevated areas in town (specific locations should be confirmed): Since Nambu Town is surrounded by mountains, elevated locations may offer a spectacular view overlooking the entire fire festival and fireworks at the same time. However, be careful not to enter private property or restricted areas, and it is recommended that you check maps and other information in advance.
- Riverbed areas along the access route from the Tomizawa IC direction: Riverbed areas also stretch along the Fuji River on the way to the venue via National Route 52 from the Chubu-Odan Expressway’s Tomizawa IC. By moving a little farther from the main venue, you may find a place where you can watch the fireworks and Hyakuhattai flames while avoiding some of the crowds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Around what time do the fireworks start? A. The 2026 fireworks are scheduled to run for approximately 30 minutes, from 20時15分 to 20時45分. The festival’s traditional ceremonies begin around 18時30分, so arriving early is recommended to enjoy the entire event.
Q. What happens if it rains? A. The Nambu Fire Festival goes ahead in light rain. In the event of severe weather, only the fireworks display is scheduled to be postponed. The rescheduled date will be announced on the official Nambu Town website. Check the latest information before setting out.
Q. Will there be food stalls at the venue? A. Yes, food stalls will be set up at the venue. In a typical year, around 50 food vendors and festival stalls line the area. Since crowds are expected immediately before the fireworks, it is recommended that you eat earlier in the evening.
🎆 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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