As autumn deepens, various festivals are being held almost every weekend, but this article introduces the fireworks festival held in autumn.
Fireworks festivals are often associated with summer, but due to global warming and security issues, it has become more common to hold them in different seasons in recent years.
The "Nariwa Atago Grand Fireworks" boasts a 320-year history in Nariwa-cho, Takahashi City.
After overcoming the challenges posed by the heavy rains in western Japan in 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been revived for the first time in six years since last year (2023).
This year marks the second year of its revival, and it will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024. Here are some highlights.
About "Nariwa Atago Grand Fireworks"
The "Nariwa Atago Grand Fireworks" is a fireworks festival held at the Nariwa River riverbed in Nariwa-cho, Takahashi City.
A traditional fireworks festival that has continued for over 300 years since the Edo period, it is scheduled to be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 7 PM to 8 PM.
The highlight is likely to be the handmade "shikake hanabi" by the townspeople.
Nariwa's Specialty "Shikake Hanabi"
Nariwa is famous for its shikake hanabi, which is one of its unique features not found in other fireworks festivals.
The photo above shows the "Oginotaki," a shikake set up from the mountain on the opposite bank towards the river, which illuminates the river surface during the highlights of the fireworks festival.
Shikake hanabi are set up like this on the riverbed.
Every year, shikake hanabi based on current trends and topics are showcased (the photo is from 2014, featuring shikake hanabi of the popular Yo-kai Watch from the previous year).
What kind of shikake hanabi will we see this year? I am looking forward to it.
Bichu Kagura
Nariwa-cho, Takahashi City is the birthplace of Bichu Kagura.
On the night before the fireworks festival, there will be a children's kagura performance, and from noon to 6 PM on the day of the festival, a kagura performance by renowned kagura performers will be held.
Since it is close to the fireworks festival venue, it is recommended to arrive early to enjoy the performance.
In the past, it was held on a special stage on the riverbed until late at night, but now it takes place at the nearby Ito Memorial Hall.
Conclusion
After the suspension due to the heavy rains in western Japan in 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic, this will be the second Nariwa Atago Grand Fireworks held in autumn.
The various shikake hanabi that are hard to find at other fireworks festivals are unique to the area and are worth seeing.
I have visited this fireworks festival many times since I was a child. Since it is held in a mountain town, I recommend arriving early (around 5 PM) to avoid traffic.
Although the launched fireworks can be seen from other places in the town, if you are going all the way to Nariwa, please enjoy the paid viewing seats (1,000 yen/person) where you can see the shikake hanabi up close.
※ Don't forget to bring a leisure sheet.
Data on Nariwa Atago Grand Fireworks
| Name | Nariwa Atago Grand Fireworks |
|---|---|
| Date | November 9, 2024 (Saturday) 7 PM - 8 PM |
| Location | Shimo-hara, Nariwa-cho, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free * Paid free viewing seats are 1,000 yen per person, free for elementary school students and younger |
| Homepage | Information on Nariwa Atago Grand Fireworks |
