A summer festival in Odate, with Mount Hōō’s fire character and fireworks lighting up the night sky
Daimonji Festival
The 2026 edition of Daimonji Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/11Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year in August / Every year
- Location
- Nagaki River riverbank fireworks venue
- Area
- Akita Prefecture・Odate City(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h 40 min–4 h 10 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A beloved summer tradition in Odate, where visitors can enjoy the large flaming “大” character on Mount Hōō and fireworks launched from the Nagaki River riverbank. Food stalls, stage events, and performances add to the festivities, which unfold from evening into night.
About Daimonji Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Aoiwaaki File:Odate Daimonji Festival 04.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Marho File:Odate daimonji matsuri 2018.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Aoiwaaki File:Odate Daimonji Festival 02.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Daimonji Festival is an event marking the end of summer in Odate, Akita Prefecture.
A flaming “大” character is lit on Mount Hōō to pray for Odate’s prosperity.
Fireworks, food stalls, and stage events are also held along the Nagaki River riverbank, bringing together the mountain’s send-off bonfire and community festivities.
The program shifts from daytime into the evening, and the festival is cherished as a local summer tradition connecting central Odate with Mount Hōō.
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the large flaming “大” character lit on the slope of Mount Hōō.
Its 1st stroke is 120 meters long, its 2nd stroke is 180 meters, and its 3rd stroke is 150 meters; from the flatlands, visitors can see its clear, well-formed shape.
About 2000 fireworks are launched along the Nagaki River riverbank, joining the fire character in the night sky.
Food stalls and a stage line the venue, and a taiko performance brings the festival to a close.
A summer festival in Odate, with Mount Hōō’s fire character and fireworks lighting up the night sky
What to expect
In 2026, the food-stall village opens at 3 p.m., with stage events starting in the evening.
A countdown to lighting the Daimonji bonfire begins at 7:59 p.m., and the “大” on Mount Hōō is lit at 8 p.m.
Fireworks are then launched from 8:15 p.m., and the festival concludes with a performance by the Odate Magewappa Taiko drummers.
The program lets visitors enjoy food stalls, music, the fire character, and fireworks in sequence.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Nagaki River riverbank fireworks venue.
- Train and bus
JR Odate Station (Ōu Main Line and Hanawa Line) is the main station.
- By car
Driving directions to Odate are available.
Traffic restrictions are in place to coincide with the fireworks launch.
Source: アクセス | 大館市公式サイト｜観光・市政・暮らし情報｜大館というところ。
Event venue 秋田県大館市 長木川河川敷花火会場
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
2026 event information (the published dates have passed)
The 2026 event was scheduled for August 11 (a public holiday falling on a Tuesday).
The schedule had the food-stall village opening at 3 p.m., stage events starting at 5:20 p.m., the Daimonji bonfire lighting at 8 p.m., and the fireworks display at 8:15 p.m.
The schedule includes a finale taiko performance continuing until 9:10 p.m.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Akita Prefecture / Odate City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Traffic restrictions are imposed around the venue during the fireworks display, so if you’re driving, be sure to check the restricted areas and permitted routes.
In bad weather, organizers decide whether to hold or cancel the event as conditions unfold. If it is canceled, the organizing committee will announce this on Facebook and other channels.
Since the event features a fire character on the mountain and fireworks at night, it’s a good idea to check your options for getting home in advance.
Nearby attractions
大館郷土博物館
秋田県大館市にある大館地方の歴史・文化・自然を展示する博物館
写真：らんで / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
小畑勇二郎記念館
秋田県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
秋田犬の里
秋田犬の紹介や展示を行う秋田県大館市の観光施設
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Daimonji Festival
The Daimonji bonfire began in 1968 (Showa 43), proposed by the mayor of Odate at the time.
It represents prayers for the repose of ancestors, the burning away of evil spirits, and Odate’s prosperity.
The fireworks display began in 1952 (Showa 27), and from 1968 it was held together with the Daimonji send-off bonfire.
Dancing, performances, and floating lanterns were later added, shaping the festival into what it is today.
Official information
The Odate City official website’s “Odate Daimonji Festival” page provides information on the 2026 dates, venues, event schedule, traffic restrictions, and arrangements for bad weather.
It also lists a phone number for the Odate Daimonji Festival Executive Committee Secretariat for inquiries.
Daimonji Festival at a Glance
The Odate Daimonji Festival is a summer event in Odate where visitors can enjoy food stalls, stage events, and taiko alongside the large fire character on Mount Hōō and fireworks along the Nagaki River riverbank.
The 2026 event was scheduled for August 11 at the Nagaki River riverbank fireworks venue.
The fire character represents a prayer for Odate’s prosperity, and the festival has been passed down as a long-running local tradition.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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