National Fireworks Competition “Omagari Fireworks” 2026 Complete Guide — Japan’s Top Competition for the Prime Minister’s Award
A complete guide to the 2026 Omagari Fireworks, one of Japan’s Three Great Fireworks Festivals, held every year on the final Saturday of August in Daisen, Akita Prefecture. We introduce the highlights, reserved seating, access information, and viewing tips for Japan’s premier fireworks competition, where pyrotechnicians from across the country compete to showcase their skills.
Feb 14, 2026·✍️ olablog·⏱ 4 min read
A complete guide to the 2026 Omagari Fireworks, one of Japan’s Three Great Fireworks Festivals, held every year on the final Saturday of August in Daisen, Akita Prefecture. We introduce the highlights, reserved seating, access information, and viewing tips for Japan’s premier fireworks competition, where pyrotechnicians from across the country compete to showcase their skills.
The official name of “Omagari Fireworks” is the National Fireworks Competition. Established in 1910 (Meiji 43), it is Japan’s oldest and most prestigious fireworks competition, where pyrotechnicians selected from across the country compete for awards including the Prime Minister’s Award. Along with Nagaoka and Tsuchiura, it is counted among Japan’s Three Great Fireworks Festivals. On the final Saturday of August each year, approximately 75万人 of spectators descend on Daisen, a city with a population of about 8万人.
Event Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | 2026年8月29日(土) ※The final Saturday of August every year |
| Daytime fireworks | From 17:30〜 |
| Evening fireworks | 18:50〜21:30 |
| Venue | Downstream from Omagari Fireworks Bridge on the Omono River riverbed (Daisen, Akita Prefecture) |
| Number of fireworks | Approximately 1万8000 shells |
| Typical attendance | Approximately 75万人 |
| In case of severe weather | Postponed to the following day (almost always held in past years) |
What Makes It a Competition
“Required Shells” and “Free Shells”
In the daytime division, each company showcases its skills according to set themes such as “Smoke Dragon” and “Color Changes.” In the evening division, entries are judged by combining “Required Shells (10号玉芯入割物)” with “Free Shells (starmine displays),” which allow each company to demonstrate its creativity.
Specially Presented Fireworks
As a special performance outside the competition, an approximately 8-minute ultra-wide starmine display brings the event to a spectacular finale. The theme and music change every year, making it a regular topic of conversation on social media.
Daytime Fireworks — A Tradition Unique to Omagari
Daytime fireworks are a rare type of fireworks competition in Japan, in which performers compete using the colors and shapes of smoke. Since the display begins as early as 17:30〜, spectators start arriving at the venue early in the afternoon.
Reserved Seating Information
Omagari Fireworks is an event where reserved seating is practically essential, and securing a viewing spot is difficult.
| Seat type | Approximate price per person |
|---|---|
| Mat seating (6-person space) | 24,000円〜 |
| Chair seating | 5,000円〜10,000円 |
| Student seating | 3,000円〜 |
| Photographer seating | 6,000円〜 |
Sales typically begin with a lottery in May, followed by general sales in June. Be sure to check advance announcements on the official websites of the Omagari Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Daisen City.
Access
The nearest station is JR Omagari Station (Akita Shinkansen and Ou Main Line). The Akita Shinkansen Komachi takes approximately 3 hours 20 minutes from Tokyo. The venue is a 30-minute walk from Omagari Station. On the day of the event, the sight of huge crowds walking from the station to the venue has become one of Omagari’s defining traditions.
Coming from Other Areas
- From Sendai and Morioka: 1〜1 and a half hours by Akita Shinkansen
- From Kansai and Kyushu: Osaka/Fukuoka → Akita Airport → Omagari (approximately 1 hour by airport bus + 1 hour by train)
By Car
The official parking lots require reservations. Visitors in regular cars must park 7〜10km away and continue on foot or by shuttle bus, so travel times are difficult to predict. Taking the train is by far the easiest option.
Accommodation and Staying Before or After the Event
Hotels in Daisen fill up with reservations from 1 year in advance. It is easier to find accommodation if you expand your search to neighboring Akita City, Yokote City, and Morioka City. Many visitors also make day trips, arriving in Omagari that morning by Shinkansen or conventional train.
What to Bring
The riverbank can feel surprisingly cold at night because of the wind. Bringing one long-sleeved layer is a good idea. Since the fireworks continue until close to 22:00, a portable battery and a small flashlight (useful for navigating the crowds after the event) will come in handy.
🎆 Make a trip of it — tours near the fireworks
Day tours departing from the nearest city — tour by day, fireworks by night.
Day tour
Day tour
Day tour
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