Scheduled
Ryotsu Tanabata Festival & River Opening Fireworks Show
Niigata 8/8/2026 (Sat)Approx. 550 shells
This festival ended on 8/8/2026 (Sat).See fireworks festivals in Niigata·See the 8 fireworks calendar
両津川開き協会
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Ryotsu Tanabata Festival & River Opening Fireworks Festival - About 550 launched fireworks color the night sky over Ryotsu Port
Fireworks countApprox. 550 shells
Expected crowdApprox. 20,000 people
Time20:30～21:10
AdmissionFree viewing
Summary
From 20:30 on Saturday, August 8, 2026, about 550 shells rise over Ryotsu Port on Sado Island in Niigata for the Ryotsu Tanabata and Kawabiraki (river-opening) fireworks. The festival celebrates both Tanabata and the port's founding, with daytime fife-and-drum parades, children's floats, minyo-nagashi singing and onidaiko drumming before the fireworks close the night. From Niigata Port, the jetfoil takes about 60 minutes and the car ferry about 2 hours 30 minutes; the venue is right after disembarking at Ryotsu.
Overview
Staged at Ryotsu Port, the gateway of Sado Island, this festival has long paired Tanabata with the port's opening celebration. By day, parades, folk songs and onidaiko drums move through town; from 20:30 the grand display closes the festival with about 550 shells over the harbor, where bursts layer over the port lights. Sado Kisen links Niigata Port to Ryotsu — about 60 minutes by jetfoil or 2 hours 30 minutes by ferry — and the venue is a 5-minute walk from the terminal. Parking covers 400 paid spaces, so factor it into travel costs along with the ferry fare. Food stalls are set up on site.
Details
Date8/8 (Sat)
End date8/8 (Sat)
Time20:30～21:10
VenueRyotsu Port Breakwater
Address新潟県佐渡市
Crowd levelLarge ★★★☆☆
Paid seatsNo
Food stallsYes
ParkingYes（Available: 400 spaces, paid）
Organizer0259-27-2119 Ryotsu River Opening Association (Sado City Hall Ryotsu Branch Office)
Last verified10/2/2026 (Fri)