Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival: Be Captivated in Japan’s Fireworks Capital
- Narelle Katsumoto
- 3 日前
- 読了時間: 3分
Missed seeing summer’s fireworks displays? Don’t worry! Summer isn’t the only time you get to witness a vibrant spectacle in the sky. One of Japan’s biggest firework festivals takes place in the heart of Autumn: the Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival in the Chubu region. Known for its competitive displays, this event lights up the autumn night sky with over 15,000 fireworks synced to melodic music. Some even say its stunning show outshines those of the summer.
What to See at the Festival
The Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival (長野えびす講花火大会) is a magnificent pyrotechnic display held at Saigawa No. 2 Green Space along the banks of Saigawa River in Nagano City in Nagano Prefecture. This area is especially beautiful because the river mirrors the fireworks above, making for a memorable sight. The festival coincides with the national holiday, Labor Thanksgiving day, which happens every November 23rd. The magic begins around 6 p.m. and lasts for 90 minutes to two hours, but visitors often arrive hours earlier to enjoy a variety of delicious foods from the festival stalls while securing a good viewing spot.
The fireworks show itself is a competition among the nation’s top and aspiring pyrotechnicians. It features dazzling displays such as the “Music Starmine” and the “Extra-Large Wide Starmine with 100 Consecutive No.8 Fireworks.” The latter showcases fireworks that can stretch up to 100 meters as they shoot into the sky.
Why Nagano is Japan’s Fireworks Capital
Nagano Prefecture has quite a long-standing reputation as the fireworks capital of Japan. According to a book “Nagano no Hanabi wa Nihonichi” by Shinano Mainichi Shimbun Inc., time of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, gunpowder was scarce in most regions. One area where it was more abundant was the Mikawa region, home to the Shogunate’s gunpowder manufacturing. It is believed that the areas surrounding Mikawa adopted its advanced fireworks techniques. One of them was Iida, located in the southern part of Nagano Prefecture.
Gradually, the prefecture began to exhibit its mastery of fireworks, shaping its fireworks culture and becoming one of the country’s leading destinations for fireworks displays. This was led by the Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival, which first began in 1899. A few years later, the prefecture showcased a fireworks display during the 1998 Winter Olympics, demonstrating its local craftsmanship on the world stage.
Today, the prefecture is recognized as the top fireworks manufacturer in the entire country and consistently ranks first in annual fireworks production. It is home to 13 companies that produce aerial shells, the highest number in the country, according to the Japan Pyrotechnics Association.
How It All Started
In 1989, a group of local merchants gathered to discuss ways to promote Nagano Prefecture’s commerce and industry year after year. They came up with the idea of holding a fireworks show to celebrate one of Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods: Ebisu-sama, the god of business prosperity. Thus, the Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival was born. With the harvest season underway and winter just around the corner, the event was a success, as local businesses across the area offered significant discounts on their products, drawing even more visitors to the festival.
Tips for Enjoying the Festival
Thinking of experiencing this spectacular festival yourself? Here are some tips to make the most of your visit:
Arrive early for the best view: There are open spaces with free seating, but arriving early ensures you can secure a good spot.
Reserved seating: Reserved seats are available and sometimes come with accommodations like a mat.
Ticket Sales: Early bird ticket sales start in September while general ticket sales begins in November.
Depending on the area and number of people, tickets range from 6,000 yen to 52,000 yen.
Where to buy tickets: Tickets can be purchased online on the official website or collected from your nearest 7/11.
There is an English site for foreigners.
Bring a comfy seat: Even with open areas, it’s a good idea to bring a chair or mat to sit on.
Check the weather: November in Nagano can be quite cold, sometimes reaching 0°C, so dress according to your comfort.
Enjoy the food stalls: The festival offers a variety of delicious foods. Bring cash, as some stalls may not accept credit cards.
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