Isawa Onsen Ukai Fireworks

Summary

Fireworks over the Fuefuki River accompany Japan's only walking-style cormorant fishing, Isawa Ukai, in Fuefuki City, Yamanashi. In 2026 the fishing season runs July 20 (holiday) through August 16 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays — 17 nights in all. On Saturdays and Sundays (plus July 20 and August 12–13), fireworks rise from the riverbed in front of City Hall for about ten minutes from around 20:50, after the evening's fishing ends. The ukai itself is a rare method in which the master wades the river guiding a single cormorant, a tradition said to span more than 800 years. Shell counts are not published; the venue is a 20-minute walk from Isawa-Onsen Station with 100 free parking spaces nearby.

Overview

Unlike cormorant fishing elsewhere, where masters handle several birds from small boats, Isawa's ukai has the fishing master walk right in the river with one bird — the nation's only 'kachi-u' method, carried on for over eight centuries. Through the 2026 season, from Monday July 20 to Sunday August 16 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays (17 nights), visitors can watch the fishing demonstrations and, on Saturdays and Sundays plus July 20 and August 12–13, stay for a ten-minute fireworks show that begins around 20:50 once the night's fishing closes. The launch site is the Fuefuki River riverbed in front of Fuefuki City Hall, a 20-minute walk from JR Isawa-Onsen Station, with a free 100-space lot close by. Viewing is free and no paid seats are offered; food stalls are on hand, though bringing small cash is wise.

Details

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