The 110th Anniversary Ashikaga Fireworks Festival

Summary

The Ashikaga Fireworks Festival traces its history to 1903 and marks its 110th edition on August 1, 2026. Around 20,000 shells rise over the Watarase River riverbed below Tanaka Bridge, a short walk from central Ashikaga, filling the 7:15 to 8:50 pm window. Large shells set off in unison and wide star mines build toward a Niagara-style cascade that closes the show with a curtain of light over the water. JR Ashikaga Station is a five-minute walk away, and crowds of roughly 500,000 gather from across the Kanto region.

Overview

The Ashikaga Fireworks Festival, first staged in 1903, reaches its 110th edition on Saturday, August 1, 2026, on the Watarase River riverbed below Tanaka Bridge in central Ashikaga, Tochigi. Roughly 20,000 shells are fired between 7:15 and 8:50 pm: wide star mines and large shells set off in unison lead into the closing Niagara, whose long ribbon of light stretches across the river. On July 30 and 31 the Young Young summer festival runs in town as a pre-event. Trains are the easiest way in: JR Ashikaga Station's south exit is a 5-minute walk and Tobu Ashikagashi Station about 10. Drivers will find about 8,100 free parking spaces (a portion is paid to ease congestion), though roads near the venue are regulated from 5:30 to 9:30 pm. With roughly 500,000 attendees each year, plan to arrive two to three hours early; riverside spots start filling in the afternoon. Paid seats are best bought in advance. There are no food stalls at the venue, so eat in town beforehand, and keep the river surface in the lower frame when shooting to capture the reflections too.

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