Hikone’s summer fireworks light up the night sky and Lake Biwa
Hikone Grand Fireworks Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year in August / Every year
- Area
- Shiga Prefecture・Hikone City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 20 min–3 h · 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
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Fireworks burst offshore on Lake Biwa, lighting up the night sky and lake in Hikone.
About Hikone Grand Fireworks Festival
The Hikone Grand Fireworks Festival is held offshore on Lake Biwa in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture.
The venue is the area around Hikone Port, where you can enjoy the fireworks from lakeside vantage points.
It is described as an annual event held in August and began in 1949.
Long cherished as one of Hikone’s signature summer events, it is a beloved fireworks festival.
Source: 彦根大花火大会 - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The highlight is fireworks bursting against the backdrop of Lake Biwa.
Starmines are among the types of fireworks featured, creating a spectacle of light reflected not only in the night sky but also on the lake.
Food stalls line the area around the venue, and paid seating areas are available.
The festival also offers a distinctive way to watch the fireworks, with plans that allow you to view them from the lake.
Hikone’s summer fireworks light up the night sky and Lake Biwa
What to expect
Spectators look up at fireworks launched offshore on Lake Biwa from around Hikone Port and other locations.
The display includes starmines, which can be enjoyed alongside their reflections on the lake.
You can enjoy food stalls around the venue, or watch from a paid seating area.
Another way to enjoy the display is from a sightseeing boat on the lake.
Location and access
- Address
Hikone City
Host municipality 滋賀県彦根市
This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.
Dates and season
- Season
Every year in August
- Frequency
Every year
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 Shiga Prefecture / Hikone City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
彦根城
滋賀県彦根市にある城
彦根城博物館
滋賀県彦根市にある歴史博物館
荒神山神社
滋賀県彦根市にある神社
Origins and History of Hikone Grand Fireworks Festival
The Hikone Grand Fireworks Festival began in 1949.
It is described as an annual fireworks festival held in August and has continued for many years as a summer event in Hikone.
The event is also referred to as the Hikone-Kita Biwako Grand Fireworks Festival, and the area around Hikone Port has served as its venue.
There are records of years when the month of the event was changed, but the detailed circumstances of its establishment and historical changes have not been confirmed.
Official information
Event information is posted in the “Hikone Tourism Guide” by the Hikone Tourism Association, a public interest incorporated association.
The page provides details about the date and time, launch site, transportation, and viewing precautions for the Hikone-Kita Biwako Summer Fireworks Festival.
Hikone Grand Fireworks Festival at a Glance
The Hikone Grand Fireworks Festival is a summer event that began in 1949, with fireworks launched offshore on Lake Biwa in Hikone.
Highlights include starmines, fireworks reflected on the lake, food stalls, and paid seating areas.
The date and venue details for 2026 are currently being checked, so please consult the latest event announcement when making plans.
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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