Yugawara Onsen Marine Fireworks Festival｜Hidden Spots・Underwater Starmines
Jul 20, 2026 · ✍️ olablog · ⏱ 5 min read
🎆 Plan your fireworks night
Annual guide to Yugawara Onsen Marine Fireworks Festival: usual timing, viewing spots and access. Dates for next year follow the organisers' announcement.
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▶ Open on YouTube — like & subscribeThe Yugawara Onsen Marine Fireworks Festival is a major summer event held off Yoshihama Beach in Yugawara, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture. Around 2,000 fireworks brilliantly illuminate the surface of Sagami Bay and the night sky. Highlights include underwater starmines launched over the sea and shaku-dama shells that bloom dramatically overhead. The festival is also known as the grand finale of the “Yugawara Yassa Festival,” the town’s largest event, allowing visitors to enjoy the fireworks amid the excitement of the festivities. After the show, you can unwind in Yugawara’s abundant hot springs—one of the unique pleasures of attending an event in a hot spring town.
This information is current as of July 2026. Be sure to check the official website for the latest updates before setting out.
Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | August 3, 2026 (Monday) |
| Time | 20:00〜20:20（20 minutes） |
| Venue | Offshore from Yoshihama Beach |
| Number of fireworks | Around 2,000（scheduled） |
| Typical attendance | Around 13,000 people |
| Paid seating | No general sales |
| In case of severe weather | Postponed to August 23, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Related events | Yugawara Yassa Festival (August 2・3) |
The fireworks display lasts just 20 minutes. Since the show packs all its launches into a short period, make sure you arrive in time for 20:00. If you are late, you will miss most of the display.
Highlights
Underwater Starmines
This is a special effect unique to fireworks held over the sea. The fireworks bloom at the water’s surface, and their reflections make the resulting semicircles appear complete. It is a sight that can only be experienced at a marine fireworks festival, not at inland riverside events.
Shaku-dama Shells
Large shaku-dama shells that bloom dramatically across the night sky are also launched. Because the festival takes place in the open setting of Sagami Bay, there are few obstructions, giving you an unobstructed view of the fireworks.
The Finale of the Yugawara Yassa Festival
This fireworks display is not held as a standalone event; it concludes the “Yugawara Yassa Festival,” which takes place on August 2・3. If you stay from the 2nd, you can enjoy everything from the buildup of the festival through to the fireworks finale.
Hot Springs After the Fireworks
Being held in a hot spring town is one of this festival’s hidden advantages. The fireworks end early at 20:20, leaving plenty of time to enjoy a relaxing soak afterward. Planning an overnight stay alongside the event is highly recommended.
Access
By Train or Bus
The nearest station is JR Yugawara Station.
- Bus：From Yugawara Station, take a Hakone Tozan Bus bound for “Manazuru Station” and get off at the “Umi no Ie” bus stop; the venue is right there.
- On foot：Approximately 15〜20 minutes from Yugawara Station
By Car
From Fukūra IC on the Manazuru Road, take National Route 135 toward Atami for approximately 1 km. The venue is about 5 minutes from Fukūra IC.
There is no parking at the venue. Public transportation or walking from your accommodation is recommended.
Traffic Restrictions
Traffic restrictions will be in place on parts of the town roads, including Makuyama Park Street, from 19:30〜21:00. National Route 135 is not subject to restrictions.
Paid Seating・Tickets
There are no general sales for paid viewing seats. The display can be watched from the free areas along the coast.
Some chartered bus tours may include special viewing seats. If you want to be sure of getting a seat, consider booking a tour package through a travel agency.
Hidden Viewing Spots
1. Yugawara Town Disaster Prevention Community Plaza (Sakurai Park)
Located slightly uphill with few obstructions, this spot offers a broad view of the entire fireworks display. It is our top recommendation for those who want a good view while avoiding the crowds at the main venue.
2. Kohama Beach
Close to the launch site, allowing you to experience the power of the starmines up close. Choose this spot if proximity is your priority.
3. Hillside Areas Toward Oku-Yugawara (Along Yugawara Parkway, etc.)
At a higher elevation, these spots offer views of both the fireworks and the nighttime scenery along the coastline. They are farther from the venue, making them suitable for those who want to watch in a quieter setting.
4. Kamegahara Park
Food stalls are set up here, making it a good place to enjoy the festival atmosphere as well. It is particularly suitable for families.
5. Cape Manazuru
Although it is some distance from the venue, that also means you can enjoy a relaxed long-distance view. Ideal for those who want to avoid the crowds completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is paid seating available? There are no general sales. The fireworks can be watched from the free areas along the coast. Some chartered bus tours may include special viewing seats.
Q. What happens if it rains? In the event of severe weather, the festival will not be canceled but postponed to August 23, 2026 (Sunday).
Q. Is there parking at the venue? No. It is a 15〜20-minute walk from JR Yugawara Station, or you can take a Hakone Tozan Bus and get off at the “Umi no Ie” bus stop, right by the venue. Traffic restrictions will also be in place on parts of the town roads from 19:30〜21:00.
Venue Map
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