Sho-Sanjaku-dama: The Historic and Most Iconic Firework of NAGAOKA HANABI
The undisputed star of the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is the “Sho-Sanjaku-dama”.
A single streak of light rises into the pitch-black night sky.
A giant flower blooms in silence… and then—
BOOM!!
A thunderous roar shakes the air, announcing one of the most powerful fireworks in the world.
The arrival of one of the world’s most extraordinary fireworks.
A true masterpiece of power and beauty blooms in the night sky.
What Is the Sho-Sanjaku-dama(正三尺玉)?
The Sho-Sanjaku-dama (正三尺玉) is Nagaoka’s historic and most iconic firework. Known for its breathtaking size and power, it has been the pride of the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival for nearly a century.
The name “Sho-Sanjaku-dama” literally means “true three-shaku ball,” with sho (正) meaning “true” or “exact,” referring to its precise diameter of 90.9 cm (about 3 feet)
Weighing around 300 kg and packed with 80 kg of gunpowder, it soars up to 600 meters before exploding into a massive 650-meter-wide sphere of dazzling light.
This scale makes it a rare spectacle—few fireworks in Japan, or anywhere else, can match its size.
A Legacy Since 1926, Revived After the War
The “Sho-Sanjaku-dama” was first launched in 1926 by master firework maker Shigeji Nakagawa.
During the Joetsu Line Completion Commemorative Exposition held in 1931, a total of 17 “Sho-Sanjaku-dama” were launched, showcasing Nagaoka’s fireworks across Japan.
In 1951, after the war, the Sho-Sanjaku-dama of the Nagaoka Fireworks made its grand return, thanks to master firework maker Kase, marking the revival of one of the festival’s most iconic traditions.
Since then, it has become an unshakable tradition at the Nagaoka Festival, surviving wartime interruptions and continuing to inspire awe nearly a century later.
More Than Just a Show
In Japan, hanabi (fireworks) are more than summer entertainment — they’re woven into the country’s culture and spirituality.
In 2015, to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the war, a special display featured three consecutive launches of the Sho-Sanjaku-dama.
This three-shot display carries the heartfelt wishes of the people of Nagaoka for remembrance, recovery, and peace, in memory of the many lives lost in the 1945 Nagaoka air raid.
It serves as a powerful reminder of the deeper meaning behind the Nagaoka Hanabi (Fireworks Festival) and stands as a lasting symbol of the city’s postwar recovery.
Even today, on August 3, the Sho-Sanjaku-dama’s three-shot display continues to light up the night sky with these three messages.
the Sho-Sanjaku-dama’s three-shot display
When and Where to See It
The Sho-Sanjaku-dama is launched twice each night during the Nagaoka Festival (August 2nd and 3rd) at approximately 8:30 PM and 9:00 PM.
For the ultimate experience, head to the official “Sho-Sanjaku-dama Area,” where the thunderous boom will echo through your chest.
When it blooms—650 meters wide—you can enjoy this breathtaking sight from various scenic spots, whether in the heart of Nagaoka City, from hilltops, or high in the mountains, where many photographers capture emotional, once-in-a-lifetime shots.
間違って望遠レンズで撮影してしまった長岡花火の三尺玉をご覧ください pic.twitter.com/CmCrO1rKjF
— onotch (@onotch_x) August 4, 2025
Why You Can’t Miss It
The dazzling bloom of the Sho-Sanjaku-dama, its chest-pounding roar, and the pressure you can feel through your whole body make for an unforgettable experience.
Visit the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival and see the Sho-Sanjaku-dama with your own eyes—because its grandeur can never truly be captured in photos or videos.
This giant flower, infused with prayers for remembrance, recovery, and peace, will leave you with one of the most memorable and treasured moments of your journey.
Experience the Power of the Sho-Sanjaku-dama
One of the largest fireworks in the world, the Sho-Sanjaku-dama is a true masterpiece of Nagaoka Hanabi. Its sheer scale and craftsmanship set it apart from anything you’ve ever seen.
Sho-Sanjaku-dama — At a Glance
- Diameter: 90.9 cm (3 shaku)
- Weight: 300 kg
- Launch height: 600 m
- Burst width: 650 m
- Gunpowder: 80 kg (since 1984)
- Production time: 1.5 years
Each shell takes over a year to make, and when it bursts 600 meters above the ground into a dazzling 650-meter bloom, you’ll feel the shockwave echo through your chest.
The Sho-Sanjaku-dama is crafted by two master firework makers: Abe Industrial Fireworks in Kamo City and Ojiya Fireworks Co. in Ojiya City.
HANABI – Discover the Spirit Behind Nagaoka Firewoks
HANABI — one of Japan’s most beautiful words. We hope it will one day be known worldwide, like “sushi” or “samurai.”
In Japan, fireworks are more than entertainment—they are symbols of summer deeply tied to history, culture, and spirituality. Linked to festivals, they often carry prayers for the souls of the departed, for peace, and for protection from misfortune.
Learn more about the history and spirit of Nagaoka Hanabi in our Nagaoka Hanabi Culture page.
