What time do the fireworks start?

The show runs 20:00–21:00 on August 15, as one of the centerpiece events of the Yamaga Lantern Festival.

Are there paid seats?

Paid seats are best bought in advance. Check the official site for the latest sales information.

Is it family-friendly?

Yes — pick riverbank spots away from the water, keep children in sight, and fix a meeting point for the crowds.

Scheduled

Yamaga Lantern Festival Noryo Fireworks Display

Name: Yamaga Lantern Festival Noryo Fireworks Display
Start: 2026-08-15T20:00+09:00
End: 2026-08-15T21:00+09:00
Location: Kikuchigawa Riverside

Kumamoto 8/15/2026 (Sat)Approx. 4000 shells

This festival ended on 8/15/2026 (Sat).See fireworks festivals in Kumamoto·See the 8 fireworks calendar

Yamaga Lantern Festival Summer Fireworks Festival - Two fireworks companies perform in competition, presenting powerful fireworks

山鹿温泉観光協会

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Yamaga Lantern Festival Summer Fireworks Festival - Two fireworks companies perform in competition, presenting powerful fireworks

Fireworks countApprox. 4000 shells

Expected crowdApprox. 30,000 people

Time20:00～21:00

AdmissionPaid seats

Summary

About 4,000 shells rise over the Kikuchi riverbed in Yamaga, Kumamoto, from 20:00 on August 15, one of the centerpiece events of the Yamaga Lantern Festival, staged by two pyrotechnic houses. It is the city's largest summer event, ranked among Kumamoto's signature annual festivals alongside Fujisaki Hachimangu's autumn grand festival and the Myoken Festival at Yatsushiro Shrine. The temporary lot holds 2,000 cars at 1,500 yen a day.

Overview

The Yamaga Lantern Festival Noryo Fireworks launch about 4,000 shells over the Kikuchi River banks in Yamaga City, Kumamoto, on August 15, 20:00–21:00, drawing around 30,000 people. Two firework houses craft the program, whose blooms mirror across the river surface. It stands as the largest of Yamaga's summer festivals and is counted among the prefecture's representative annual events, mentioned alongside Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine's autumn grand festival and the Myoken Festival of Yatsushiro Shrine. Access: from JR Tamana Station take a Sanko bus for about 60 minutes and walk 10 minutes from Ohashi-dori stop; by car, 15 minutes from Kikusui IC or 20 minutes from Ueki IC on the Kyushu Expressway, with a 2,000-space temporary lot at 1,500 yen a day. Riverside paths crowd up, so arrive about an hour before the start. Buy paid seats in advance and carry small bills for the food stalls.

Details

Date8/15 (Sat)

End date8/15 (Sat)

Time20:00～21:00

VenueKikuchigawa Riverside

Address熊本県山鹿市

Crowd levelLarge ★★★☆☆

Paid seatsYes

Food stallsYes

ParkingYes（Available: 2000 vehicles, 1500 yen/day, temporary）

Organizer0968-43-2952 Yamaga Onsen Tourism Association

Last verified10/2/2026 (Fri)

FAQ

Access

🚃 By Train

From JR Tamana Station, approx. 60 min by Sanko Bus, get off at Ohashidori bus stop, 10 min walk

🚗 By Car

Approx. 15 min from Kyushu Expressway Kikusui IC, or approx. 20 min from Ueki IC

Info for International Visitors

Best arrival time

Arrive about an hour before the start — entrances and riverside paths get crowded. Come by bus from JR Tamana Station plus a walk, or use the 2,000-space temporary lot (1,500 yen a day).

With kids

Choose riverbank spots set back from the water and keep children within sight. Crowds make separation easy, so set a meeting point in advance.

Photography tips

Phone and camera shots are fine, but tripods and monopods may be restricted in paid seating — check with staff first. To catch the glow on the river, keep the water in the lower frame.

Payment

Paid seats are best bought in advance. The temporary lot holds 2,000 cars at 1,500 yen a day. Food stalls generally take cash — carry small bills.

Venue Location

33.0135, 130.7027

Coordinates are accurate to the city level and may differ slightly from the exact venue.

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Check the official website for detailed venue info

Official Website →