A summer festival bringing Kashiwazaki by the sea to life with songs, dashi, and grand fireworks
Gion Kashiwazaki Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year, July 24–July 26 / Every year
- Location
- Around Minatomachi Seaside Park
- Area
- Niigata Prefecture・Kashiwazaki City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 40 min–2 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
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This summer festival fills Kashiwazaki’s city streets and seaside with singing and dancing, and , and the Grand Sea Fireworks.
About Gion Kashiwazaki Festival
The Gion Kashiwazaki Festival is a local festival held every year in Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture, from July 24 through the 26th.
The first day features a marching parade and the Minyo Street Parade; on the second day, neighborhood associations hold the Taru Niwaga and a parade of dashi and mikoshi; the festival closes on the final day with the Grand Sea Fireworks.
This event brings color to summer in Kashiwazaki across both the seaside and the city streets.
Source: ぎおん柏崎まつり - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the fireworks on the final day, set against the sea in Kashiwazaki.
Planned displays that make use of the sea and night sky include 100 large-shell fireworks launched simultaneously, 300 large-shell fireworks in rapid succession, and underwater starmines.
Alongside the fireworks, the songs and dances of the Minyo Street Parade and parades of dashi and mikoshi by neighborhood associations are also signature festival scenes.
Source: ぎおん柏崎まつり「海の大花火大会」／柏崎市公式ホームページ
A summer festival bringing Kashiwazaki by the sea to life with songs, dashi, and grand fireworks
What to expect
The festival begins with a marching parade and Minyo Street Parade on the first day, followed by the Taru Niwaga Parade on the second day and the Grand Sea Fireworks on the final day.
At the Minyo Street Parade, participants sing and dance to Kashiwazaki Okesa, Sankai-bushi, and Kashiwazaki Jinku.
On the final day, you can enjoy fireworks over the sea and above the water around Minatomachi Seaside Park and other locations.
Source: ぎおん柏崎まつり「民謡街頭流し」／柏崎市公式ホームページ
How to take part
General visitors can watch.
The folk-song street dance parade has an open participation area where you can join in, and the guidance says there is no dress code.
The fireworks festival is primarily for viewing, and paid viewing seats are also available.
If you’d like to join the folk-song street dance parade, you can jump in at the open participation area at the venue.
There is no dress code. Join in to the music of Kashiwazaki Okesa, Sankai-bushi, and Kashiwazaki Jinku.
If you plan to use paid fireworks viewing seats or parking, apply according to the relevant reservation information.
Source: ぎおん柏崎まつり公式サイト
Location and access
- Venue and address
The fireworks festival takes place around Minatomachi Seaside Park, the mouth of the Ukawa River, Minatomachi Seaside Park, and Central Beach.
- Train and bus
It’s about a 25-minute walk from JR Kashiwazaki Station to the venue.
- By car
It takes about 20 minutes to reach the area around the venue from Kashiwazaki Interchange.
Traffic restrictions and other factors cause congestion around the fireworks festival venue.
- Parking
Temporary parking lots are available around the venue, but there is no official free parking; all parking is paid.
Options include same-day registration and advance reservations.
Event venue 新潟県柏崎市 みなとまち海浜公園
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
In 2026, the Gion Kashiwazaki Festival’s Grand Sea Fireworks took place on July 26 (Sunday).
The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. and are the event that brings the festival to a close.
The Minyo Street Parade takes place on July 24 and is canceled in the event of rain.
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 Niigata Prefecture / Kashiwazaki City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Traffic restrictions and congestion are expected around the venue on the day of the fireworks festival.
Parking is not free, and parking lots with same-day registration are available on a first-come, first-served basis and close once full.
All the cars leave at once after the fireworks end, so allow plenty of time for your journey home.
Source: ぎおん柏崎まつり公式サイト
Nearby attractions
At Minatomachi Seaside Park, near the fireworks venue, a monument to “Hama Chidori,” a children’s song associated with Kashiwazaki, has been relocated.
It is introduced as a place where you can experience Kashiwazaki’s culture alongside the fireworks.
Central Beach is also near the venue, where you can enjoy the seaside scenery alongside the festival.
柏崎市立博物館
新潟県柏崎市の博物館
Origins and History of Gion Kashiwazaki Festival
The Grand Sea Fireworks is said to be a traditional event originating as fireworks offered to Yasaka Shrine.
At a 2026 press conference, the mayor introduced it as a fireworks event with a history of about 200 years.
The 300 large-shell fireworks in rapid succession began after an event featuring 600 large-shell fireworks held for the 60th anniversary of the city’s incorporation, and are now one of the signature displays of Kashiwazaki fireworks.
Official information
For official information, visit the official Gion Kashiwazaki Festival website or the Kashiwazaki City website.
The festival website provides information about fireworks viewing seats, access, parking, and brochures.
The Kashiwazaki City website lists details about the Grand Sea Fireworks and the Minyo Street Parade.
Source: ぎおん柏崎まつり公式サイト
Gion Kashiwazaki Festival at a Glance
The Gion Kashiwazaki Festival is a summer festival in Kashiwazaki City featuring parades, the Minyo Street Parade, Taru Niwaga, and the Grand Sea Fireworks.
At the Minyo Street Parade, visitors can join in and sing and dance alongside local residents.
On the festival’s final day, large-shell fireworks and starmines light up the night sky, making use of the seaside 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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