Late-summer fireworks in Hakodate, framed by Yunokawa Onsen and fishing lights
Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen Fireworks Festival
The 2026 edition of Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen Fireworks Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/22Ended
- Season / frequency
- Annually in August / Once a year
- Location
- Near the river mouth embankment of the Matsukura River, Yunokawa Onsen
- Area
- Hokkaido・Hakodate City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · flight time only)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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Regular viewing is free. Paid viewing seats: Special Viewing Seats, ¥5,000; Premium Seats, ¥10,000.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
At this summer evening festival giving thanks for the blessings of Yunokawa Onsen, a Yuto-shiki ceremony and approximately 3,000 fireworks light up the seaside night.
About Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen Fireworks Festival
The Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen Fireworks Festival takes place in the Yunokawa Onsen district and near the mouth of the Matsukura River.
The Yuto-shiki ceremony and fireworks are central to this summer evening festival of gratitude for the blessings of the hot springs.
This event offers a chance to enjoy hot springs and fireworks in the night sky in a seaside hot spring district.
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the approximately 3,000 fireworks launched from the mouth of the Matsukura River.
Vivid fireworks light up the night sky against the backdrop of fishing lights from squid-fishing boats off the Tsugaru Strait.
From the sandy beach viewing area, you can enjoy an impressive view close to the launch site while feeling the sea breeze and hearing the waves.
Late-summer fireworks in Hakodate, framed by Yunokawa Onsen and fishing lights
What to expect
The event begins with a Yuto-shiki ceremony, in which hot spring water drawn from the source is offered to Yukura Shrine.
Fireworks are then launched near the mouth of the Matsukura River and can be watched from the hot spring district, along the coast, and from elevated areas.
Staying at Yunokawa Onsen and combining a hot spring visit with the fireworks is also presented as an enjoyable way to spend your time.
How to take part
General visitors can watch the fireworks from the hot spring district and along the coast.
Regular viewing is advertised as free, but paid viewing seats are also available.
Whether it is possible to take part in the Yuto-shiki ceremony or fireworks operations must be confirmed separately.
No regular admission application is mentioned for those who only wish to watch.
To request Special Viewing Seats or Premium Seats, contact the Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen Fireworks Festival Executive Committee.
Memorial fireworks are a separate sponsorship program, with an application deadline and fees.
Source: 函館湯の川温泉 花火大会｜メモリアル花火
Location and access
- Venue and address
Near the embankment at the mouth of the Matsukura River, Yunokawa Onsen / Nesasaki-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido
- Train and bus
From JR Hakodate Station, take the Hakodate City Tram for about 30 minutes, get off at Yunokawa-Onsen, then walk about 10 minutes.
Take a Hakodate Bus bound for Hiyoshi Depot from JR Hakodate Station for about 20 minutes, get off at Nettai Shokubutsuen-mae, then walk about 5 minutes.
Another guide says it is about a 10-minute walk from Yunokawa-Onsen tram stop.
- By car
It is about 5 minutes from Hakodate Airport.
After the fireworks display, vehicle access is restricted on part of Isaribi-dori until around 9 p.m.
- Parking
There is no parking at the venue.
The Hakodate Yukawa Fishing Port Exchange Plaza parking lot is unavailable from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on August 22, 2026.
Source: 【重要】第61回函館湯の川温泉花火大会に伴う函館湯川漁港等の車両進入制限について | 函館市
Address Nesaki-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 event was scheduled for August 22 (Saturday), from 7:40 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.
In the event of severe weather, the event would be postponed to August 23 (Sunday), and if severe weather continued, to August 24 (Monday); if severe weather also affected the 24th, it would be canceled.
The 2026 event dates have now passed.
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 Hokkaido / Hakodate City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
If watching from the coast or a sandy beach, expect sea breezes and the sound of waves; clothing suited to the nighttime weather is recommended.
There is no parking at the venue, and vehicle access restrictions were also planned for the 2026 fireworks festival.
As the event may be postponed in severe weather, check its status before setting out.
Nearby attractions
Nearby attractions introduced include Yunokawa Onsen, Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden, and Yukura Shrine.
Yunokawa Onsen is convenient for a stay that includes the fireworks festival, while Yukura Shrine is associated with the Yuto-shiki ceremony.
All are listed as related attractions in Hakodate City.
五稜郭
北海道函館市にある国の特別史跡
写真：Keihin nike / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
五稜郭タワー
北海道函館市にある展望塔
写真：663highland / CC BY 2.5(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
函館市北方民族資料館
Museums
写真：663highland / CC BY 2.5(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
函館市文学館
日本の北海道函館市にある文学館
写真：663highland / CC BY 2.5(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
函館市縄文文化交流センター
北海道函館市にある博物館
写真：アラツク / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
函館市青函連絡船記念館摩周丸
北海道函館市にある、かつて連絡船として活躍していた博物館船
写真：Saigen Jiro / CC0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
市立函館博物館
北海道函館市の博物館
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen Fireworks Festival
The Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen Fireworks Festival is presented as an event associated with Yunokawa Onsen, which has a long history.
This summer evening festival gives thanks for the blessings of the hot springs and brings together a Yuto-shiki ceremony, in which hot spring water from the source is offered to Yukura Shrine, and fireworks.
It is regarded as a seasonal tradition marking the end of summer in the hot spring district.
Official information
The organizer and contact is the Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen Fireworks Festival Executive Committee.
The contact desk is at the Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen Ryokan Cooperative Association. The phone number is 0138-57-8988, and office hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The official website is the fireworks festival information page of the Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen Ryokan Cooperative Association.
Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen Fireworks Festival at a Glance
The Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen Fireworks Festival is an event in a seaside hot spring district, featuring a Yuto-shiki ceremony and approximately 3,000 fireworks.
Fireworks launched near the mouth of the Matsukura River can be watched from along the coast and from elevated areas.
There is no parking at the venue, so it is recommended to travel by train or bus and be mindful of vehicle restrictions.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
