Kyoto – December 7 Ujigawa Fireworks Festival
Once celebrated as a beloved summer tradition in Kyoto, the Ujigawa Fireworks Festival was officially discontinued in 2017. This article introduces the history, past event details, access information, paid seating, hidden viewing spots, and other highlights of a festival that can no longer be seen today.
Jul 16, 2026·✍️ olablog·⏱ 6 min read
Once celebrated as a beloved summer tradition in Kyoto, the Ujigawa Fireworks Festival was officially discontinued in 2017. This article introduces the history, past event details, access information, paid seating, hidden viewing spots, and other highlights of a festival that can no longer be seen today.
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Ujigawa Fireworks Festival: A Beloved Summer Tradition of the Ancient Capital That Was Sadly Discontinued
Once loved by many as a major event that lit up Kyoto’s summer night skies, the Ujigawa Fireworks Festival was unfortunately officially discontinued on December 7, 2017. Held for more than 50 years from 1960, this fireworks festival was the largest in Kyoto Prefecture and came to an end after its 2013 event.
With “Genji Roman” as its theme, inspired by The Tale of Genji, approximately 7,000 fireworks beautifully illuminated the clear waters of the Uji River and the night sky, attracting more than 200,000 spectators every year. However, after the venue was flooded when the Uji River rose due to a typhoon in 2014, and amid difficulties ensuring spectator safety, organizers ultimately abandoned plans to resume the event and decided to discontinue it.
In this article, we look back on the brilliant history of the Ujigawa Fireworks Festival, which disappeared despite being deeply missed, along with past event details, access information, and hidden viewing spots around the venues where so many people once enjoyed the fireworks. Although there are no plans for the festival to be held in 2026, why not take a moment to reflect on summer memories from the ancient city of Uji?
Event Details
The Ujigawa Fireworks Festival is no longer held, but for reference, past event details are provided below.
| Item | Past event information | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Early August every year (the final event was held on August 9, 2013) | Canceled and discontinued from 2014 onward |
| Time | 19:45～20:45 (approximately 1 hour) | |
| Venue | Uji River riverbanks, the Nakasu area of Kyoto Prefectural Uji Park, and the surrounding area of Uji Bridge | |
| Number of fireworks | Approximately 7,000 | About 70 types of fireworks presented under the theme “Genji Roman” |
| Typical attendance | Around 200,000 (more than 220,000 in 2007 and 2008) | |
| Rain policy | Postponed in severe weather (a backup date was usually scheduled) | Completely canceled in 2014 due to a typhoon |
Venue and Map
The Ujigawa Fireworks Festival was held along the Uji River around Uji Bridge, particularly throughout the Nakasu area of Kyoto Prefectural Uji Park. The sight of fireworks reflected on the calm surface of the Uji River evoked the distinctive atmosphere of the ancient capital and captivated many spectators.
Access
When the Ujigawa Fireworks Festival was held, most visitors traveled to the venue by public transportation.
- JR Nara Line Uji Station: Approximately 17 minutes from JR Kyoto Station by rapid train. The venue was about a 15-minute walk from the station.
- Keihan Uji Line Uji Station: Approximately 14 minutes from Keihan Sanjo Station or Chushojima Station. The venue was about a 3～8-minute walk from the station, making it closer than JR Uji Station.
On the day of the festival, extensive traffic restrictions were usually imposed on roads in the surrounding area. In particular, roads such as Prefectural Route 7 were subject to restrictions from around 17:00 to 21:00. Viewing from Uji Bridge, Asagiri Bridge, and Tachibana Bridge was also prohibited. The areas around Keihan Uji Station and JR Uji Station became extremely crowded, so visitors needed to be mindful of the time of the last train home.
Paid Seating and Tickets
As the Ujigawa Fireworks Festival is no longer held, there are no plans to sell paid viewing seats. In the past, however, the following paid seating areas were available, allowing visitors to enjoy the fireworks in comfort.
- Premium Seat: ¥5,500 (300 seats). Located directly across from the launch site, these popular seats offered an up-close view of the spectacular fireworks and included a boxed lunch.
- Taiko-tsutsumi Venue S Seats: ¥3,500 (700 seats).
- Taiko-tsutsumi Venue A Seats: ¥3,000 (700 seats).
- Tower of the Island Venue: ¥2,500 (700 seats).
These tickets generally went on sale around June 1, and the most popular seats sold out quickly.
Hidden Viewing Spots
Although the Ujigawa Fireworks Festival has been discontinued, the following hidden viewing spots were known during the event’s years of operation.
- Embankment near Mukaijima Station: Located approximately 20～30 minutes on foot from Keihan Mukaijima Station, this spot was somewhat far from the launch site but offered a clear view of the entire fireworks display. It was also recommended for its accessibility by those hoping to avoid the crowds around JR Uji Station and Keihan Uji Station.
- Rooftop parking lot at Al Plaza Uji-Higashi: The commercial facility “Al Plaza Uji-Higashi” sometimes opened its rooftop parking lot free of charge on the day of the fireworks festival. In addition to offering a clear view of the fireworks, it was a convenient spot where visitors could purchase food and drinks and use the restrooms.
- Uji River east bank: The eastern bank of the Uji River was known as a prime viewing area where visitors could enjoy powerful fireworks because it was close to the launch site. However, it became crowded, so arriving early to claim a spot was necessary.
Please note that these details are based on information from when the festival was held, and current availability or access conditions may differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Will the Ujigawa Fireworks Festival be held in 2026?
A. No. The Ujigawa Fireworks Festival was officially discontinued on December 7, 2017, and there are no plans for it to be held in 2026.
Q. Why was the Ujigawa Fireworks Festival discontinued?
A. The main reason was that the rising Uji River caused by a typhoon in 2014 flooded the launch site and viewing areas, making it difficult to ensure safety. Afterward, organizers were unable to establish adequate security and safety measures, so they abandoned plans to resume the festival and ultimately discontinued it.
Q. How large was the Ujigawa Fireworks Festival in the past?
A. The Ujigawa Fireworks Festival was held from 1960 through 2013 and was the largest fireworks festival in Kyoto Prefecture. Held in early August every year, it featured approximately 7,000 fireworks and elegant performances centered on the theme “Genji Roman,” attracting more than 200,000 spectators annually.
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