Niigata – August 2 Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks

Access

Using public transportation is strongly recommended when traveling to the Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks venue.

• Nearest station: JR Nagaoka Station
• From the station to the venue: Walk straight along Ōte-dori from the Ōte Exit of JR Nagaoka Station. Area A viewing seats on the right bank can be reached in approximately 30 minutes on foot. Severe crowds are expected on the day, so allow plenty of time.
• Shinkansen: The Jōetsu Shinkansen stops at JR Nagaoka Station, making access convenient from farther away. JR East typically adds extra Jōetsu Shinkansen services to coincide with the Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks.
• Arriving by car: Roads around the venue become extremely congested, and traffic restrictions will be in place. Traffic around Nagaoka IC tends to begin increasing from around 11:00 a.m. on the day, with congestion developing soon afterward. Nearby interchanges also become crowded, so visitors are encouraged to use an interchange two exits before Nagaoka IC, as well as park-and-ride or rail-and-ride services. Since there are few parking lots near the venue, it is wise to avoid arriving by car.
• Last trains: After the fireworks end, JR Nagaoka Station becomes extremely crowded with spectators heading home. It is said that crossing just one traffic signal can take 1 hour. Check the last Shinkansen and local train times in advance, and head to the station with plenty of time to spare.

Paid Seating and Tickets

Paid viewing-seat tickets are required to watch the fireworks inside the Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks venue. No free seating is available.

• How to purchase: Tickets will not be sold at counters or on the day of the event. Since lottery sales will be the main method in 2026, anyone wishing to attend should check the sales schedule early and make sure not to miss the application deadline.
• Sales schedule: Applications for the Nagaoka residents’ advance lottery were accepted from April 10, 2026 (Friday) through April 28, 2026 (Tuesday). Please check the official website for details on general sales.
• Types of paid seating and approximate prices:
  • Left-bank mat seating: Approximately ¥15,000 per mat (options include “inside the embankment” and “on the embankment,” both with blue sheets; these seats are close to the launch area).
  • Left-bank chair seating: Approximately ¥3,000 per person (options include “inside the embankment,” as well as the athletics stadium stands and field seating).
  • Right-bank mat seating: Approximately ¥15,000 per mat (includes a blue sheet and offers an up-close experience of the powerful sound and fireworks).
  • Right-bank reserved seating: Approximately ¥3,000 per person (boards are laid on the embankment slope, providing a sweeping view of the entire display).
  • Phoenix seating: Approximately ¥2,000 per person (allows you to enjoy the Phoenix Reconstruction Prayer Fireworks from close by).
  • South area seating: Approximately ¥4,000 per person (unreserved seating within a designated area on the embankment slope, with up to approximately 1.5㎡ of space per person).
  • Yakatabune viewing seats: Approximately ¥44,000 per person (including tax) (all seats have chairs and include a special fireworks bento and all-you-can-drink service; you can watch unobstructed from the opposite bank of the launch area).
  • The prices above are estimates based on past prices and some seat types. For detailed information on the 2026 seat types and prices, check the official announcement from the Nagaoka Fireworks Ticket Center.
• Other information: Tickets are issued in the purchaser’s name, and measures are in place to prevent high-priced resales. Children in elementary school and older require tickets.

Lesser-Known Viewing Spots

The Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks is extremely popular, and heavy crowds are expected outside the paid seating areas as well. However, there are several lesser-known spots where you can still enjoy the display from a little farther away.

1. Shinano River embankment (from Chōsei Bridge toward Phoenix Bridge): Located slightly upstream from the main venue, this area may allow you to avoid some of the crowds while watching the fireworks. It is said to be particularly close to the launch site for the Shōsan-shakudama.
2. Suido Park: Located approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Nagaoka Station, Suido Park is a little downstream from Ōte Bridge and is a lesser-known spot where you can enjoy the fireworks at a relaxed pace.
3. Embankment behind Nagaoka City Hall (now behind Saiwai Plaza): The embankment behind the former Nagaoka City Hall (now Saiwai Plaza) is also recommended by locals as one of the lesser-known viewing spots. It may offer a comfortable viewing experience without excessive crowds.
4. Around Zao Bridge: The area around Zao Bridge, which crosses the Shinano River, is also considered a spot where the fireworks can be viewed across a relatively wide area.
5. Rooftop parking lots at Aeon Nagaoka and Apita Nagaoka: The rooftop parking lots at these commercial facilities may sometimes be opened to spectators on the day of the fireworks festival. You may be able to enjoy the fireworks comfortably while purchasing food and drinks, but be sure to check in advance whether they will be open and what conditions apply.

These lesser-known spots are also expected to be moderately crowded on the day of the event. Try to secure a spot early and use public transportation whenever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why is the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival held on August 2 and 3?
A. The Nagaoka Festival originated as the “Nagaoka Reconstruction Festival,” which began the following year as a wish for reconstruction after many citizens were killed in the Nagaoka air raid on August 1, 1945. August 1 was designated as a “day of remembrance for the victims of war,” and the fireworks festival came to be held on August 2 and 3. It is a special event for the people of Nagaoka, filled with remembrance, gratitude, and prayers for peace.

Q. Are there any places inside the venue where I can watch for free?
A. All viewing inside the Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks venue requires a paid viewing-seat ticket. No free seating is available. Tickets are not sold on the day of the event, so they must be purchased in advance.

Q. Will the fireworks festival be canceled if it rains?
A. The Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks is generally held even in rainy weather. However, if severe weather is deemed dangerous—such as rising water levels in the Shinano River or strong winds caused by a typhoon—the event may be suspended or canceled. The decision will be announced on the official website and elsewhere at around 7:00 a.m. on the day of the event. Since umbrellas are prohibited in the viewing areas, it is recommended that you bring rain gear such as a raincoat so you can watch comfortably even in wet weather.