Fireworks and lights illuminate the night sky over the Nagara River
Gifu Nagaragawa Fireworks Festival
The 2026 edition of Gifu Nagaragawa Fireworks Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/08Ended
- Season / frequency
- Aug / Once a year
- Location
- Nagara River, Gifu City (from downstream of Nagara Bridge to upstream of Kinka Bridge)
- Area
- Gifu Prefecture・Gifu City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h–2 h 30 min · bullet train + connecting 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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- A designated free viewing area is available, as are paid supporter seats.
- Age restrictions
- Elementary school children need a ticket. Admission arrangements for preschool children vary by seat type.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This fireworks festival lights up the night sky over the Nagara River in Gifu City with fireworks and light displays.
About Gifu Nagaragawa Fireworks Festival
The Gifu Nagaragawa Fireworks Festival is a fireworks festival held along the Nagara River in Gifu City.
It began in 2023, combining two fireworks festivals that had been held along the Nagara River.
The event takes place between downstream of Nagara Bridge and upstream of Kinka Bridge, and is run with the involvement of the local community.
Source: ぎふ長良川花火大会 - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
A highlight is the display of around 10,000 fireworks lighting up the night sky along the Nagara River.
In 2026, the show opened with a Super Ultra Wide Star Mine, followed by a 7-color rainbow and a grand finale.
A light display by drones is also featured alongside the fireworks.
Source: 第4回ぎふ長良川花火大会開催の御礼 | ぎふ長良川花火大会【公式ホームページ】
Fireworks and lights illuminate the night sky over the Nagara River
What to expect
The event begins in the evening, with fireworks and a program divided into chapters.
In 2026, the program ran from 7:30 p.m. until around 8:40 p.m. and comprised 6 chapters.
In addition to paid supporter seats, designated free viewing areas are available.
Source: ぎふ長良川花火大会【公式ホームページ】 | 2026年8月8日（土）に岐阜市で開催される「ぎふ長良川花火大会」の公式ホームページです。 / よくあるご質問 | ぎふ長良川花火大会【公式ホームページ】
How to take part
You can attend as a general visitor to watch the fireworks.
Tickets are required for paid viewing seats, but you can also watch from the designated free viewing area.
Some performances and music differ between the free area and the paid seating area.
If you want to use a paid supporter seat, purchase a viewing seat ticket when it goes on sale.
In 2026, the advance lottery sale for Gifu City residents was scheduled for May, with general sales planned for July.
If you choose free viewing, use the designated free viewing area.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Nagara River, Gifu City, from downstream of Nagara Bridge to upstream of Kinka Bridge.
The viewing area is on the north side of the river, and the launch site is on the sandbar to the south.
- Train and bus
Take a Gifu Bus from the area in front of JR Gifu Station or Meitetsu Gifu Station, and get off at Ukaiya or Kinka Bridge bus stop.
Temporary shuttle buses operate after 4 p.m.
- By car
Traffic restrictions are in place around the venue.
Please avoid illegal parking.
- Parking
Use the temporary parking lots.
Address Nagara River, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the dates listed have passed)
The 4th event in 2026 was held on August 8 (Saturday), from 7:30 p.m. until around 8:40 p.m.
It was scheduled to go ahead in light rain and be postponed to August 22 (Saturday) in severe weather or if the river was swollen.
There was no further postponement if the event could not be held on August 22.
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 Gifu Prefecture / Gifu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The venue has many stairs and changes in elevation, and it is also some distance from the nearest bus stop, so please plan carefully if you have difficulty walking.
Strollers are not allowed in the viewing area; use the designated stroller parking area.
Claiming a spot before the day of the event is prohibited. Please use the designated free viewing areas or ticketed seats.
Nearby attractions
三甲美術館
岐阜県岐阜市にある美術館
加藤栄三・東一記念美術館
岐阜県岐阜市にある美術館
写真：Douggers at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5
Photo source ·
名和昆虫博物館
岐阜県岐阜市にある博物館
奥の細道むすびの地記念館
日本の岐阜県大垣市にある記念館
岐阜公園
岐阜市の公園
写真：Douggers at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5
Photo source ·
岐阜市歴史博物館
岐阜県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
写真：Douggers at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5
Photo source ·
岐阜市科学館
岐阜県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
岐阜県美術館
岐阜県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
水の資料館
岐阜県岐阜市にある上水道に関する資料館
金神社
岐阜市にある神社
鵜飼資料園
岐阜県岐阜市にある長良川鵜飼に関する資料館
Origins and History of Gifu Nagaragawa Fireworks Festival
The current event began in 2023.
Two festivals were previously held along the Nagara River: the National Invitational Nagaragawa Chunichi Fireworks Festival and the Nagaragawa National Fireworks Festival. They were combined to create a new event.
The earliest recorded fireworks display on the Nagara River dates back to Tokugawa Mun春's visit to watch cormorant fishing in 1733.
Official information
Dates, venue, viewing seats, traffic restrictions, and decisions about postponement or cancellation are announced on the official Gifu Nagaragawa Fireworks Festival website.
The official information for the 2026 event also included an overview and frequently asked questions.
Gifu Nagaragawa Fireworks Festival at a Glance
The Gifu Nagaragawa Fireworks Festival is a summer fireworks festival held along the Nagara River in Gifu City.
In 2026, the event featured around 10,000 fireworks as well as a light display by drones.
Paid supporter seats and free viewing areas are available. Plan ahead for traffic restrictions and congestion around the venue.
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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