As autumn deepens, festivals of one kind or another are held almost every weekend. This article introduces a fireworks festival held in autumn.
Fireworks festivals are strongly associated with summer, but in recent years they have increasingly been held in other seasons due to global warming and security concerns.
The “Nariwa Atago Grand Fireworks” in Nariwa-cho, Takahashi City, boasts a 320-year history.
After being suspended due to the 2018 Western Japan floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, it returned last year (2023), for the first time in six years.
Now in its second year since returning, it will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024. Here are some highlights and more.
The information provided was current when this article was published in October 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About the Nariwa Atago Grand Fireworks
The Nariwa Atago Grand Fireworks is a fireworks festival held on the Nariwa River riverbank in Nariwa-cho, Takahashi City.
This traditional fireworks festival has continued for more than 300 years, since the Edo period. This year, it is scheduled to be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
One highlight is surely the “set-piece fireworks” made by local residents.
Nariwa specialty: “set-piece fireworks”
Nariwa is famous for its set-piece fireworks, one of the features that sets this festival apart from others.
The display in the photo above, called the “Great Silver Waterfall,” is a set piece strung from the mountain on the opposite bank down toward the river. It brightly illuminates the river during the festival’s highlight.
Set-piece fireworks are installed along the riverbank like this.
Each year, set pieces based on current topics, such as things that were popular that year, are also presented (the photo shows a set-piece display from 2014 featuring Yo-kai Watch, which was popular the previous year).
What kind of set-piece fireworks will we see this year? I’m already looking forward to it.
Bitchu Kagura
Nariwa-cho, Takahashi City, is the birthplace of Bitchu Kagura.
Children’s kagura is performed on the eve of the fireworks festival, and from noon to 6:00 p.m. on the day, renowned kagura performers present sacred kagura dances.
It is close to the fireworks venue, so if you arrive early, we recommend watching the performance.
In the past, performances continued until late at night on a temporary stage along the riverbank, as shown in this photo. They are now held at the nearby Ito Memorial Hall.
From the Writer
After being suspended due to the 2018 Western Japan floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the second time the Nariwa Atago Grand Fireworks has been held in autumn.
The many set-piece fireworks, rarely seen at other festivals, are unique to this area and well worth seeing.
I have visited this festival many times since I was a child. Since it is held in a mountain town, I recommend arriving early, around 5:00 p.m. if possible, to avoid traffic jams.
The aerial fireworks can also be seen from other places in town, but if you’re making the trip to Nariwa, be sure to watch from the paid viewing area (1,000 yen per person), where you can see the set-piece fireworks up close.
*If you do, don’t forget to bring a picnic sheet.
Nariwa Atago Grand Fireworks details
| Name | Nariwa Atago Grand Fireworks |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, November 9, 2024 7:00–8:00 p.m. |
| Location | Shimohara, Nariwa-cho, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Admission (tax included) | Free *Paid unreserved viewing area: 1,000 yen per person; free for elementary school students and younger |
| Website | Nariwa Atago Grand Fireworks Information |
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a search term to find articles on this site
