Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks

Nagano · Fireworks festival

A November display on the Saigawa riverbank in Nagano, started in 1899 for Ebisu-ko, the festival of the god of trade.

Dates

23 November 2026

The 120th edition, announced by the Nagano Chamber of Commerce for Monday 23 November (a public holiday), with the first shells at 18:00 from the Saigawa riverbank west of Nagano Ohashi bridge.

Held on 23 November, a public holiday; 23 November in 2026.

Dates checked against the official site on November 09, 2026

Most of Japan's big fireworks belong to summer. Nagano's belongs to Ebisu-ko, the late-autumn festival of Ebisu, the god of trade, and it was started in 1899 to wish the city's businesses well. The Nagano Chamber of Commerce still runs it, a few days after the Ebisu rites at the city's Nishinomiya Shrine on 19 and 20 November, and the organisers describe it as one of the few November fireworks in the country. The launch site is the riverbank west of Nagano Ohashi bridge on the Saigawa, and what the organisers point to is how close you are to the shakudama, the one-shaku shells about 30 cm across, and to the starmines set to music. It starts at 18:00, after dark, and a late-November evening on a Nagano riverbank is cold: the free viewing area opens at 10:00, has no toilets inside it, and is a long time to sit on the ground. In 2026 the programme also has a drone show, sponsored by Otsuka Pharmaceutical.

Getting a good spot

There is no parking near the venue apart from the official car parks, which must be booked in advance through the organisers' official site, so the organisers ask people to come by public transport or on foot. It is about 30 minutes on foot from the east exit of Nagano station, or a ¥500 shuttle bus from the east exit to Big Hat (outbound about 15:00 to 17:45, return 19:00 to 20:30, about every 10 minutes). The free viewing area may turn people away when it is full.

Where it happens

Zenko-ji One of Japan's most important and popular temples, home to the first Buddhist statue ever brought to Japan.

Access

Common questions

When are the Nagano Ebisuko fireworks?

On 23 November, a public holiday; in 2026 that is a Monday, with the first shells at 18:00.

Where can you watch from?

From the free viewing area on the riverbank, which opens at 10:00 on the day. Places claimed before then are cleared, there are no toilets inside, and entry may be refused when it is full. The organisers also suggest their satellite venues or the official YouTube live stream.

How do you get there and back?

On foot from the east exit of Nagano station, about 30 minutes, or by the ¥500 shuttle bus between the east exit and Big Hat, running out from about 15:00 to 17:45 and back from 19:00 to 20:30. Buses can be badly delayed by traffic, so the organisers suggest boarding early or walking. If you drive, book an official car park in advance through the organisers' site: there is no other parking near the venue.

Are there paid seats?

Yes, on the riverside ground, the embankment slope and the embankment road, sold through Ticket Pia online or at 7-Eleven multi-copy machines (P-code 662-168). Early sales opened on 1 September 2026 and general sales on 1 November. You cannot pick your seat, and tickets cannot be cancelled or changed.