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Nagaoka Fireworks FAQ – History & Culture
Visiting the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival(HANABI) for the first time?
This FAQ is designed for international visitors, with quick answers to common questions about tickets, the best viewing areas, which day to attend, and tips for enjoying the event smoothly.
Whether you’re planning months in advance or arriving on the day, these travel tips will help you make the most of Japan’s most spectacular summer fireworks festival.
We hope this guide helps make your experience truly unforgettable.
Nagaoka Fireworks History
What are the origins of Nagaoka Fireworks?
The roots of Nagaoka Hanabi trace back to the Edo period, when fireworks were used in gunnery displays and religious festivals. The first modern large-scale display was held on September 14, 1879 (Meiji 12) as the Kawabiraki Fireworks, recorded in the Niigata Shinbun newspaper on September 10, 1879.
From the following year, local fireworks masters from Katakai and patrons from the Nagaoka entertainment quarters (Yamada-machi, Senju Yokochō, Nagahara, and Ishiuchi) collaborated to establish the annual summer tradition that evolved into today’s festival.
Why is the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival held every year on August 2 and 3?
The dates are fixed to commemorate the Nagaoka Air Raid of August 1, 1945, in which much of the city was destroyed and nearly 1,500 lives were lost. Holding the festival on August 2 and 3 serves as a memorial for the victims, a prayer for recovery, and a symbol of peace.
The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is more than just a summer celebration.
It is also a message to never forget the tragedy of war, to honor the victims, and to carry a prayer for peace into the future
What is the spirit of remembrance in the Nagaoka Fireworks?
After the devastating Nagaoka Air Raid on August 1, 1945, in which nearly 1,500 lives were lost and much of the city was destroyed, citizens revived the fireworks the following summer. The festival became a way to honor the victims and to express the city’s wish for recovery and postwar reconstruction. Over time, new displays such as the “Phoenix” fireworks were created to embody the city’s spirit of hope and peace for the future.
Today, Nagaoka Hanabi carries two intertwined traditions:
- Deep roots in earlier local festivals (from the Meiji-era river-opening celebrations and even back to feudal gunnery displays).
- A postwar rebirth as a civic symbol of remembrance and peace, shared globally through exchange programs such as joint fireworks with Pearl Harbor.
Reference: 長岡花火ドットコム
When was the Shō-Sanjakudama (3-foot shell) first launched at Nagaoka Hanabi?
The first Shō-Sanjakudama—one of the largest fireworks shells in the world, measuring 90 cm in diameter and weighing about 300 kg—was launched in 1926 (Taishō 15) by pyrotechnician Shigeji Nakagawa of Nagahara Village, Nagaoka.
After the festival was suspended during the war, it was revived in 1947 as the Nagaoka Recovery Festival, and the first postwar launch was in 1951 (Shōwa 26) by Seiki and Seiji Kase of Kase Fireworks. Since then, the spectacular Shō-Sanjakudama has remained a proud symbol of the Nagaoka Festival Fireworks.
Reference: 長岡花火ドットコム
Historical Origins of the Nagaoka Fireworks
The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is more than just a summer celebration.
It is also a message to never forget the tragedy of war, to honor the victims, and to carry a prayer for peace into the future
In the fireworks catalog from that time, the names of geisha and courtesans who contributed donations are listed.
Have more questions?
How can I contact you?
If it doesn’t have to be through official channels, you can contact us via our social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram, etc.).
Contact Us
How can I contact the official organizers?
For official inquiries, please visit the Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks official website and use their contact form.
Additional Travel Resources
- Official Program (English PDF)
- Venue Map
- Recommended Local Food
- Weather Forecast
Closing Message
We hope this guide helps make your experience truly unforgettable.
Enjoy the magic of Nagaoka Hanabi and the warm welcome of our city.
Arigatou! (Thank you! )😊
