Atsugi Ayu Festival

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the grand fireworks display at the confluence of the three rivers at the Sagami River.

In 2026, fireworks commemorating the 80th edition will be launched, including star mines.

The opening parade and mass folk-dance performance take place on Chuo-dori, while dance events and a community market are held at Atsugi Central Park.

The following day, a children’s ayu fish-catching event is also scheduled on the Sagami River riverbank.

A festival that fills the town of Atsugi and the night sky with color in gratitude for the bounty of ayu

What to expect

The festival takes place at several venues and begins with an opening ceremony and parade on Chuo-dori, along with the mass folk-dance performance on Atsugi Nakacho-dori.

Dance events and a community market are held at Atsugi Central Park, and the evening culminates in a grand fireworks display at the confluence of the three rivers at the Sagami River.

The following day features early-morning cleanup, children’s ayu fish-catching, a mikoshi show, dance events, and stalls, before the closing announcement.

How to take part

The Atsugi Ayu Festival features events with citizen participation over 2 days.

Events such as the opening parade, mass folk dance, mikoshi show, and Citizens’ Market Village are enjoyable as visitors explore the venues.

The children’s ayu-catching activity is an experience for children from the final year of kindergarten through 6th grade, and requires advance registration. Up to 1 guardian may enter at the same time.

General visitors can freely enjoy the parade, dance, stalls, and fireworks display.

To take part in the children’s ayu fish-catching event, advance applications are required from August 25, 2026 through September 8, and a lottery will be held if there are more applicants than places.

The application period has ended; there are no same-day or cancellation places.

Source: あつぎ鮎まつり こども鮎つかみどり／厚木市 / あつぎ鮎まつり - 厚木市観光協会 あつぎ観光なび

Location and access

Venue and address

Atsugi Central Park, the Sagami River riverbed (the confluence of the three rivers), Chuo-dori, Atsugi Nakacho Odori, and other locations.

The grand fireworks display and the children’s ayu-catching activity take place at the confluence of the Sagami, Nakatsu, and Koayu rivers.

Train and bus

The grand fireworks venue at the confluence of the Sagami, Nakatsu, and Koayu rivers is about a 15-minute walk (about 1.2 km) from the East Exit of Hon-Atsugi Station.

By car

As the area around the venues is expected to be crowded, visitors are advised to use public transportation.

Parking

Parking for approximately 200 cars is listed at the children’s ayu fish-catching venue.

Address The confluence of the Sagami, Nakatsu, and Koayu rivers (along the Koayu River), as well as Atsugi Central Park, Chuo-dori, Atsugi Nakacho Odori, and other locations

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

The 2026 Atsugi Ayu Festival was announced as scheduled to take place over 2 days, on October 10 (Saturday) and the 11th (Sunday).

On the 10th, events include an opening parade, a mass folk-dance performance, a community market, Atsugi Dance Legend, and the grand fireworks display.

On the 11th, children’s ayu fish-catching, a mikoshi show, a community market, and DREAM Festa are scheduled.

The grand fireworks display runs from 5:40 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the 10th.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The grand fireworks display takes place on a riverbed, where some stones are embedded in the ground. Cushions or seat pads are recommended.

Smoking is prohibited on the riverbed when using paid seating, and the use of fire for activities such as barbecues is also prohibited.

Umbrellas and pets are prohibited during the fireworks display. As it gets crowded on the day, visitors are encouraged to arrive early after the venue opens.

For the children’s ayu-catching activity, bring shoes that cover the heels and an insulated container to take the ayu home in.

Source: 大花火大会「有料観覧席」-あつぎ鮎まつり- - 厚木市観光協会 あつぎ観光なび

Nearby attractions

Restaurants serving Atsugi ayu dishes are listed around Hon-Atsugi Station.

Enjoy a variety of dishes that differ from one restaurant to another, including salt-grilled ayu and kaiseki meals featuring ayu.

Information is also available about ayu dishes being served at local accommodations and restaurants from early summer through early autumn.

Availability and whether reservations are required vary by business, so please check before visiting.

Source: あつぎの鮎 - 厚木市観光協会 あつぎ観光なび

Origins and History of Atsugi Ayu Festival

The festival is said to have begun when people entered the Sagami River and floated lanterns on it to comfort their ancestors.

Later, fireworks expressing gratitude for ayu were added, and after the war, the event developed into a large-scale festival.

The specific origins of the fireworks display date back to the opening of the Sagami River for the season, hosted by the Atsugi Town Innkeepers’ Association in 1910.

These traditions have been passed down in changing forms, becoming established as a festival involving local residents.

Official information

For information on events, venues, fireworks viewing areas, and the children’s ayu fish-catching event, check the Atsugi City Tourism Association’s “Atsugi Kanko Navi” or information from Atsugi City.

The 2026 festival is listed as the 80th edition.

Contact phone numbers are listed for the Atsugi Ayu Festival Executive Committee and the Atsugi City Commerce and Tourism Division.

Atsugi Ayu Festival at a Glance

The Atsugi Ayu Festival is a festival in Atsugi City where visitors can enjoy the grand fireworks display at the confluence of the three rivers at the Sagami River, along with a variety of events at Atsugi Central Park and in the city center.

The town comes alive with a parade, a mass folk-dance performance, dance, mikoshi, stalls, and more.

The 2026 festival was announced as scheduled for October 10 and the 11th, with the children’s ayu-catching activity requiring advance registration.

For peace of mind, check the viewing arrangements and conditions at each venue before you go.