Hyogo — Keino Matsubara Fireworks Festival
Jul 19, 2026 · ✍️ olablog · ⏱ 4 min read
🎆 Plan your fireworks night
Annual guide to Keino Matsubara Fireworks Festival: usual timing, viewing spots and access. Dates for next year follow the organisers' announcement.
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▶ Open on YouTube — like & subscribeHeld at Keino Matsubara Beach in Minamiawaji on Awaji Island, the Keino Matsubara Fireworks Festival returns in 2026 for the first time in two years. The beach is known for its broad white-sand shoreline and black-pine scenery facing the Seto Inland Sea. On festival night, approximately 3,000 fireworks are launched close to the coast, with musical fireworks, wide star mines and water effects creating a display that can be enjoyed directly from the seaside area.
Event overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, July 25, 2026 |
| Stage programme | From approximately 16:30 |
| Fireworks | From 20:00 for about 40 minutes |
| Venue | Keino Matsubara Beach, Minamiawaji, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Number of fireworks | Approximately 3,000 |
| Wet weather | Postponed to the following day in severe weather |
| Private-car access | No private-car access to the venue area; use the announced temporary parking and free shuttle buses |
Venue and map
The venue is Keino Matsubara Beach in Minamiawaji City on Awaji Island. The display is staged close to the shore, giving spectators a strong sense of scale while the fireworks reflect across the sea.
Getting there
The 2026 organisers do not allow ordinary visitors to drive directly to the venue area. Instead, free shuttle buses operate from temporary parking locations.
- Temporary parking / shuttle point: Minamiawaji City Industrial and Cultural Center, Tsui
- Temporary parking / shuttle point: Minamiawaji City Hall, Izenkoji
- Shuttle operation: from approximately 16:00 toward the area near Seidan Junior High School
Because roads become congested around the fireworks period, allow extra time for both the outbound and return journey. Follow the current event signs and staff instructions, as temporary-parking arrangements can change.
What to expect at the festival
Before the fireworks, the special stage programme begins in the late afternoon with local performances including dance and Japanese drumming. The fireworks begin at 20:00 and continue for roughly 40 minutes. The 2026 programme is described as including around 3,000 shots, musical sequences, wide star mines and other effects over the beach.
The setting is one of the festival's main attractions: spectators can enjoy the display with the sea in front and the pine-lined coast behind them rather than watching from a dense urban street.
Viewing tips
- Arrive before the evening rush. Shuttle buses and the beach approaches become busier closer to 20:00.
- Use the official shuttle system. Do not attempt to drive into the venue area or park on nearby roads.
- Choose a legal public viewing position on the beach. Keep emergency and pedestrian routes clear and follow staff instructions.
- Prepare for a seaside evening. Bring water, suitable footwear and a small light, and secure loose belongings if the coastal wind becomes strong.
- Check the weather before departure. Severe weather can move the display to the following day.
Frequently asked questions
Q. When are the 2026 Keino Matsubara fireworks? A. Saturday, July 25, 2026. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 20:00 and run for about 40 minutes.
Q. How many fireworks are launched? A. Approximately 3,000.
Q. Can I drive to Keino Matsubara Beach for the event? A. Ordinary private-car access to the venue area is not permitted for the 2026 festival. Use the announced temporary parking areas and free shuttle buses.
Q. What happens in severe weather? A. The 2026 event information states that the fireworks are postponed to the following day if severe weather prevents the display.
Q. Are there paid seats? A. Paid seats are only available if the organizers announce them on the official event website, so check there before you go and do not assume they exist.
Before you go
Event details can change because of weather, traffic or crowd-control needs. Check the official Keino Matsubara Fireworks Festival information shortly before travelling, especially the shuttle-bus timetable and temporary-parking instructions.
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