HANABI – The Culture of Japanese Fireworks in Nagaoka
HANABI (花火)— one of Japan’s most beautiful words. We hope it will one day be recognized around the world, just like “sushi” or “samurai.”
In Japan, fireworks are cherished as a symbol of summer. But Japanese HANABI are more than just entertainment—they are deeply rooted in history, culture, and spirituality.
Often tied to festivals, they carry prayers for the souls of the departed, for peace, and for protection from misfortune.
One of Japan’s oldest fireworks festivals, the Sumida River Fireworks in Tokyo, began in the Edo period to honor the victims of famine.
Nagaoka’s HANABI began in 1879 as a summer event in the city’s traditional entertainment quarter (historic geisha and pleasure district).
At the time, it was a lively attraction for locals and travelers, contributing to the growth of the city.
After the devastating 1945 air raid that destroyed much of Nagaoka, the fireworks were reborn as a solemn tribute to the victims, with wishes for recovery and peace. Since 2005, the “Phoenix Fireworks” have been launched each year as a prayer for recovery from the 2004 Niigata-Chuetsu Earthquake.
For Nagaoka, HANABI is a symbol of remembrance and peace—and a beacon of hope for the future. It remains a proud tradition, passed down through generations.
NAGAOKA HANABI – The Grand Fireworks of the Nagaoka Festival
At the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Show, an astounding 20,000 fireworks light up the night sky over two days. The massive Shō-Sanjakudama, measuring 90 cm in diameter, and the 650-meter-long “Niagara Falls” display are breathtaking sights. Even more awe-inspiring is the Phoenix Fireworks, stretching 2 kilometers across the river, created as a prayer for recovery after the earthquake.
This magnificent display moves the hearts of all who see it. For the people of Nagaoka and visitors alike, these moments are more than entertainment—they are a living embodiment of the city’s history and pride.
This August, when you visit Nagaoka, you won’t just watch the fireworks—you will experience HANABI.
And we hope you’ll share your NAGAOKA HANABI story with the world.
The Culture of Japanese Fireworks
Japan’s fireworks festivals have a unique history and cultural significance unlike anywhere else in the world.
They are said to have begun in 1733, when a shogun held a “Suijin-sai” (Water God Festival) and launched fireworks to honor the souls of the departed and pray for protection from epidemics.
Even today, many Japanese fireworks displays carry these traditional meanings—serving as acts of remembrance, mourning, and prayers for peace, health, and safety.
Unlike in many other countries, where fireworks are part of a larger event, in Japan the fireworks festival itself is the main attraction.
For centuries, these summer spectacles have been beloved seasonal traditions, drawing crowds to riverbanks, seaside parks, and city streets across the country. On these warm summer nights, the sky bursts into brilliant blooms, connecting past and present through light and sound.
The Nagaoka Hanabi(Fireworks Festival) is especially grand and deeply meaningful.
Filled with messages of remembrance, recovery, and peace, it lights up the night sky with world-class displays such as the Sho-Sanjaku-dama and the Phoenix.
Nagaoka is a place where you can experience the true spirit of Japanese fireworks.
How Nagaoka Fireworks Differ from the Rest of the World
There are clear differences between the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival and fireworks shows in other parts of the world.
In many countries, fireworks usually begin and continue non-stop until the grand finale.
At the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, however, the show is divided into multiple programs, each with its own theme and character.
Before each program, an announcer introduces the sponsor through loudspeakers.
Each mini-show reflects the sponsor’s wishes and messages, giving every program a unique personality.
Some even feature playful designs — like Hello Kitty or smiley faces blooming in the night sky!
🌸✨ HANABI — Fire Flowers in the Japanese Sky
In Japan, Fireworks are called “hanabi” — a word made of hana (flower) and bi (fire).
They are more than fireworks: they are hanabi, like flowers blooming in the night sky.”
While fireworks around the world are often about loud sounds and dazzling lights for celebration,
Japanese hanabi are something more:
- 🌼 Artistry – crafted to resemble flowers like chrysanthemums and peonies, blooming in the night sky.
- 🙏 Spirit – carrying messages of peace, remembrance, and gratitude.
- 🎇 Experience – not just a show, but a moment to share beauty and emotion together.
Watching hanabi is like seeing a flower bloom in the heavens — a breathtaking blend of art, tradition, and soul that you can only experience in Japan.
Join the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival and experience the true beauty of Japan’s hanabi.
And please, don’t just call them fireworks — call them HANABI.
The Nagaoka Summer Fireworks Festival is truly a bucket-list experience.
