28 Apr Hokkaido Fireworks Festivals

北海道真駒内花火大会 (Hokkaido Makomanai Fireworks Festival)

The 北海道真駒内花火大会 (Hokkaido Makomanai Fireworks Festival) is one of Hokkaido's largest fireworks displays, characterized by a spectacular show where music, light, and fire synchronize.

• Date & Time: July 11 (Saturday), 2026.
• Venue and Access from Nearest Station: 真駒内セキスイハイムスタジアム (Makomanai Sekisui Heim Stadium). Access is via public transportation from 地下鉄南北線真駒内駅 (Makomanai Station on the Namboku Subway Line). Public transportation is recommended as there is no parking available around the venue.
• Number of Fireworks & Visitors: To be announced (annually over 10,000 fireworks).
• Availability of Paid Seating: Paid viewing seats will be provided. There are also free viewing areas, but some performances and fireworks might be partially obscured or less impactful compared to paid seating.
• Hidden Gems: Fireworks can be seen from the free viewing areas around the venue, but paid seating offers the best experience.
• Google Maps Link to Venue: View Map

おたる潮まつり 大花火大会 (Otaru Ushio Festival Grand Fireworks Display)

This fireworks display marks the finale of the "おたる潮まつり (Otaru Ushio Festival)," a summer tradition in Otaru. Spectacular starmines illuminate the night sky and the surface of Otaru Port.

• Date & Time: July 26 (Sunday), 2026, from 8:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
• Venue and Access from Nearest Station: 小樽港第3号ふ頭基部 (Otaru Port No. 3 Pier Base). It's about a 10-minute walk from JR小樽駅 (JR Otaru Station). During the festival period, parking in the city center is congested, so public transportation is recommended.
• Number of Fireworks & Visitors: Approximately 5,000 fireworks.
• Availability of Paid Seating: Paid viewing seats are available, allowing you to comfortably enjoy all the fireworks, including ground-level displays.
• Hidden Gems: From the summit of 天狗山 (Mount Tengu), you can enjoy a panoramic view of the fireworks along with the nightscape of Otaru city. Additionally, 平磯公園 (Hiraiso Park) and 色内埠頭公園 (Iroinai Wharf Park) are spots where you can view the fireworks with relatively less crowd.
• Google Maps Link to Venue: View Map

旭川夏まつり 第74回道新納涼花火大会 (Asahikawa Summer Festival 74th Doshin Summer Fireworks Display)

This fireworks display kicks off the summer in Asahikawa, with a variety of fireworks launched along the 石狩川河畔 (Ishikari River riverside).

• Date & Time: July 30 (Thursday), 2026, starting at 7:45 PM (approx. 50 minutes).
• Venue and Access from Nearest Station: 石狩川河畔（旭橋～新橋間） (Ishikari River Riverside (between Asahibashi and Shinbashi bridges)). From JR旭川駅 (JR Asahikawa Station), take the 旭川電気軌道バス (Asahikawa Denki Kido Bus) for about 10 minutes, get off at "常磐公園前 (Tokiwa Koen-mae)," and walk for 5 minutes. There is no parking available around the venue.
• Number of Fireworks & Visitors: Approximately 4,000 fireworks.
• Availability of Paid Seating: To be announced.
• Hidden Gems: Viewing is possible over a wide area along the Ishikari River, but early arrival to secure a spot is recommended.
• Google Maps Link to Venue: View Map

道新・UHB花火大会 (Doshin UHB Fireworks Festival)

This summer tradition held in central Sapporo features fireworks launched from the 豊平川 (Toyohira River) riverbed, vividly illuminating Sapporo's night sky.

• Date & Time: July 31 (Friday), 2026, fireworks start at 7:40 PM (scheduled for approx. 50 minutes).
• Venue and Access from Nearest Station: 豊平川右岸側河川敷（水車町側、南大橋～幌平橋間） (Toyohira River Right Bank Riverside (Suisha-cho side, between Minami Ohashi and Horohira Bridge)). It is within walking distance from 地下鉄豊水すすきの駅 (Hosui-Susukino Station on the Subway), 学園前駅 (Gakuen-mae Station), and 中の島駅 (Nakanoshima Station).
• Number of Fireworks & Visitors: Approximately 4,000 fireworks.
• Availability of Paid Seating: Some paid areas will be set up. Entry to paid areas is possible from 4:00 PM.
• Hidden Gems: You can view the fireworks from parks along the Toyohira River or from slightly distant elevated areas, but congestion is unavoidable in the city area.
• Google Maps Link to Venue: View Map

勝毎花火大会 (Kachimai Fireworks Festival)

The 勝毎花火大会 (Kachimai Fireworks Festival), held in 帯広市 (Obihiro City), Hokkaido, boasts one of Hokkaido's largest scales. It is a magnificent fireworks show where digital starmines synchronized with music illuminate the Tokachi night sky.

• Date & Time: August 13 (Thursday), 2026, fireworks start at 7:20 PM (gates open at 3:00 PM, scheduled to end at 9:00 PM).
• Venue and Access from Nearest Station: 十勝川河川敷特設会場（十勝大橋下流400m付近） (Tokachi River Riverside Special Venue (approx. 400m downstream from Tokachi Ohashi Bridge)). Shuttle buses are convenient for getting to the venue from JR帯広駅 (JR Obihiro Station). There is no parking available around the venue.
• Number of Fireworks & Visitors: Hokkaido's largest scale (estimated to be around 20,000 fireworks). Annually, hundreds of thousands of visitors attend.
• Availability of Paid Seating: Paid viewing seats (S seats, A seats, Premium seats, etc.) are available and require ticket purchase. There are also free "トカチシート (Tokachi Seats)" reserved for Tokachi residents.
• Hidden Gems: Viewing is possible over a wide area around the Tokachi River, but early arrival to secure a spot is essential for areas other than paid seating.
• Google Maps Link to Venue: View Map

北海道芸術花火2026 (Hokkaido Art Fireworks 2026)

This highly artistic fireworks festival takes place at モエレ沼公園 (Moerenuma Park) in 札幌市東区 (Higashi Ward, Sapporo City), where music, fireworks, and the park's topography merge into one integrated spectacle.

• Date & Time: September 5 (Saturday), 2026.
• Venue and Access from Nearest Station: モエレ沼公園 (Moerenuma Park). Access is by bus from 札幌市営地下鉄東豊線環状通東駅 (Kanjodori-Higashi Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway Toho Line).
• Number of Fireworks & Visitors: To be announced (annually around 10,000 fireworks).
• Availability of Paid Seating: Paid viewing tickets will be sold.
• Hidden Gems: There are various viewing points within the vast grounds of Moerenuma Park, but for enjoying the synchronization with music, paid seating is recommended.
• Google Maps Link to Venue: View Map

釧路大漁どんぱく花火大会 (Kushiro Tairyo Donpaku Fireworks Festival)

This fireworks festival is a beloved autumn tradition in Kushiro, known for launching Hokkaido's only 三尺玉 (Sanjakudama), a massive 3-shaku diameter shell.

• Date & Time: September 12 (Saturday), 2026, fireworks start at 7:00 PM (Sanjakudama scheduled to be launched around 7:30 PM).
• Venue and Access from Nearest Station: 釧路川河口付近 (Near the mouth of the Kushiro River). It's about a 15-minute walk from JR釧路駅 (JR Kushiro Station).
• Number of Fireworks & Visitors: Includes Hokkaido's largest Sanjakudama.
• Availability of Paid Seating: To be announced.
• Hidden Gems: Viewing is possible over a wide area along the Kushiro River.
• Google Maps Link to Venue: View Map

Tips for Enjoying Fireworks

Here are some tips to comfortably enjoy Hokkaido's fireworks festivals.

• Securing a Spot: For popular fireworks festivals, arriving early to secure a good viewing spot is essential. Especially at venues without paid seating, we recommend bringing a leisure sheet and arriving before the opening time.
• What to Bring: Even if Hokkaido's summer days are hot, evenings can get chilly. Don't forget to bring warm clothing, such as a jacket or blanket, for protection against the cold. Insect repellent, a cushion for long periods of sitting, and light snacks and drinks will also be useful.
• Managing Crowds on the Way Home: Large-scale fireworks festivals often lead to significant congestion on public transportation and roads after the event. If you're using JR or subway, prepare for smooth travel by charging your IC card (like Suica or Pasmo) in advance or purchasing your return ticket beforehand. If driving, consider using parking lots a bit further from the venue and utilizing shuttle buses or walking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When is the peak season for Hokkaido's fireworks festivals? A. Many large-scale fireworks festivals are held from late July to mid-August. Events tend to be concentrated particularly in early August.

Q. Will fireworks festivals be canceled in case of rain? A. They often proceed in light rain, but may be postponed or canceled in strong winds or stormy weather. Please check the official websites or social media of each festival for the latest information. For example, the 道新・UHB花火大会 (Doshin UHB Fireworks Festival) will be postponed to August 7 (Friday) in case of severe weather.

Q. Where can I purchase paid viewing seats? A. For festivals with paid viewing seats, tickets are usually sold on the official website or through major ticket agencies (such as eplus and Doshin Play Guide). Popular festivals can sell out quickly, so early purchase is recommended.

Q. Is there parking available near the fireworks venue? A. For many fireworks festivals, there is no dedicated parking near the venue, or it is very limited. Public transportation is recommended, and even if temporary parking is provided, shuttle bus transfers are often required.

Q. Are there any hidden gems for viewing fireworks? A. Hidden gems vary by festival, but generally include slightly elevated areas away from the main venue, wide areas along riverbeds, or rooftops of surrounding commercial facilities. However, to avoid crowds, it is important to secure your spot early.