Katakai Festival

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the dedicated fireworks, including the shō-yonsakudama, which blooms across the night sky.

The four-shaku firework blooms to a diameter of about 800 meters, with a 420-kilogram shell launched to a height of about 800 meters.

Before and after the fireworks, local events unfold together, including Tamaokuri accompanied by Kiyari, shagyiri performances by neighborhood groups, and displays of banners.

An autumn festival in Katakai, where the town’s traditions and dedicated fireworks light up the night sky

What to expect

Festival events include Tsutsuhiki, in which local young people and children pull a tube through the streets; Tamaokuri, in which fireworks are carried on a dashi; and performances of Kiyari and shagyiri.

The eve-of-festival celebration features a dashi parade, Mikojiji, and a folk dance procession. On the days of the grand dedicated fireworks, events also include firework drums, sumo, and a marching band parade.

Dedicated fireworks are launched at night, and visitors can enjoy displays offered with the thoughts and wishes of individuals and class reunions in mind.

Source: 浅原神社秋季例大祭「片貝まつり」が行われました（9月10日～12日） - 小千谷市ホームページ

How to take part

Local young people, children, and class reunions take part in Tsutsuhiki, Tamaokuri, shagyiri, and dedicating fireworks.

For general visitors, viewing tickets sold on the day at the shrine grounds and reserved seating are available.

Individuals and companies can apply to dedicate fireworks, but applications for fireworks for fiscal year 2026 are reported to be closed.

To watch the fireworks, you can use reserved seating or buy a same-day ticket for the shrine grounds.

For fiscal year 2026, all advance reserved-seat tickets had sold out. Same-day tickets were sold at the central entrance to the reserved seating on both days from 9 a.m. for 5,500 yen per person.

Applications for dedicated fireworks for fiscal year 2026 are closed.

Source: 片貝町煙火協会公式サイト トップページ

Source: 片貝町煙火協会公式サイト アクセス・交通案内・お問合せ

Location and access

Venue and address

Asahara Shrine and the surrounding Katakai area.

The fireworks are launched from behind Asahara Shrine in Katakai.

Train and bus

From JR Ojiya Station, take a limited express bus bound for Nagaoka via Katakai; the trip takes about 20 minutes. From JR Nagaoka Station, take a limited express bus bound for Ojiya via Katakai; the trip takes about 30 minutes.

Shuttle buses also run from places including the Ojiya City Gymnasium.

By car

Katakai is about 10 minutes from the Ojiya Interchange on the Kan-Etsu Expressway, about 20 minutes from the Nagaoka Interchange, and about 10 minutes from the Nagaoka-Minami-Koshiji Smart Interchange.

Detours due to afternoon traffic restrictions are advised.

Parking

Temporary paid parking is available in Katakai, as well as temporary lots at places including the Ojiya City Gymnasium and Hakusan Sports Park.

Parking fees, operating hours, and shuttle bus fares vary by parking lot.

Address Katakai Town, Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 Event Information (The listed dates have passed)

The 2026 Katakai Festival was held from September 10 (Thursday) through the 12th (Saturday).

The 10th was the eve-of-festival celebration. On the 11th and 12th, events included the grand dedicated fireworks, Tsutsuhiki, Tamaokuri, sumo, and a parade.

Dedicated fireworks are launched on both the 11th and 12th.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

When viewing the fireworks, be aware that advance tickets for the reserved seating may sell out and that same-day ticket availability may vary.

Traffic restrictions apply around the venue, and detours from the Nagaoka and Koshiiji areas are advised in the afternoon.

The fireworks are set off even in rainy weather, but if wind speeds reach 10 meters per second or more due to a typhoon or similar conditions, the event may be postponed.

Origins and History of Katakai Festival

The fireworks at Katakai Festival are rooted in a tradition dating back to the Edo period and are carried on as dedicated offerings to Asahara Shrine.

It is said that the present-day festival grew out of a custom in which households around town made fireworks and set them off at street corners.

Records show that 4 three-shaku fireworks were launched in Meiji 24, and a four-shaku firework was successfully launched in Showa 60.

Source: 片貝まつり - Wikipedia

Official information

The official Katakai Town Fireworks Association website and Ojiya City’s official website provide information on the event schedule, dedicated fireworks, viewing seats, and transportation.

Katakai Festival at a Glance

Katakai Festival is an autumn grand annual festival centered on fireworks dedicated to Asahara Shrine, with traditions such as Tsutsuhiki, Tamaokuri, Kiyari, and shagyiri bringing the town to life.

The highlights include not only large fireworks such as the shō-yonsakudama, but also the sequence of events carried on by local residents.

In 2026, the festival was held from September 10 through the 12th, with the grand dedicated fireworks on the 11th and 12th.