Traditional fireworks set off at sea, illuminating Onigajo and the Kumano Sea
Kumano Grand Fireworks Festival
The 2026 edition of Kumano Grand Fireworks Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/17Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year on August 17 / Once a year
- Location
- Shichiri-Mihama Beach
- Area
- Mie Prefecture・Kumano(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This traditional summer event features around 10,000 fireworks over Shichiri-Mihama Beach in Kumano, with Onigajo and the Kumano Sea as a backdrop. Highlights include fireworks set off at sea, three-shaku fireworks set off at sea, and large-scale displays that use the rocky shore and caves.
About Kumano Grand Fireworks Festival
The Kumano Grand Fireworks Festival is held every year at Shichiri-Mihama Beach in Kumano, Mie Prefecture.
Around 10,000 fireworks illuminate the beach and open sea, with the Kumano Sea and Onigajo as a backdrop.
The event is said to have originated with fireworks launched for the first memorial service for the spirits of the deceased, and it has been passed down locally as a summer tradition.
Source: 熊野大花火大会 | イベント | 観光三重(かんこうみえ)
Festival highlights
Highlights include fireworks set off at sea by throwing shells from boats into the water, large-scale displays using the rocks and caves of Onigajo, and three-shaku fireworks set off over the Kumano Sea.
The explosions and blasts from the fireworks are joined by sounds that bounce off the rocky shore and echo through caves.
The program lets visitors enjoy the spread of sound and light against a backdrop of the sea and a World Heritage landscape.
Traditional fireworks set off at sea, illuminating Onigajo and the Kumano Sea
What to expect
Numerous fireworks are launched from the coast toward the Kumano Sea.
Highlights include fireworks set off at sea by throwing lit shells from boats into the water, and large-scale displays that make use of the rocks and caves of Onigajo.
The event offers a chance to enjoy three-shaku fireworks opening over the sea and their reverberating sounds against the scenery of Shichiri-Mihama Beach.
Source: 熊野大花火大会 - Wikipedia
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Shichiri-Mihama Beach (Kumano, Mie Prefecture).
- Train and bus
The venue is a 5-minute walk from JR Kumano-shi Station.
JR Limited Express Nanki services from Nagoya Station and Mie Kotsu buses from Nagoya Station are also listed.
- By car
Head toward central Kumano via the Ise Expressway, Kisei Expressway, Owase-Kita IC, Owase-Minami IC, and Kumano-Odomari IC.
Traffic restrictions are scheduled on the southbound Kumano-Owase Road on the day of the festival.
- Parking
Temporary parking lots are provided.
In 2026, opening times, capacity, and cleaning cooperation fees varied by parking lot, and some lots were listed as unavailable.
The area around the venue gets crowded, so allow plenty of time for your visit.
Address Kumano
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 event was announced as scheduled for August 17 (month).
It is usually held on August 17, during the summer.
荒天や高波の場合は予備日に延期される案内があります。
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 Mie Prefecture / Kumano (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
In 2026, a vehicle traffic ban was scheduled for the urban area around the venue on the day of the festival.
If you are driving, use the temporary parking lots and make sure to refuel before heading there.
Some parking lots require a parking ticket, while others may be unavailable due to bad weather or other conditions. Be sure to check the terms of use before setting out.
Source: 会場周辺の交通規制 - 熊野市観光協会 / 臨時駐車場 - 熊野市観光協会
Nearby attractions
Near the venue, you can also visit Shichiri Mihama Beach, as well as the Whale Memorial Tower and the Kumano Kodo Omotenashi Hall.
Nearby attractions also include the Kumano River, part of the Kumano Kodo Iseji route, and the Kumano City Station Front Local Products Center.
If you plan to visit alongside the fireworks festival, take traffic restrictions and congestion around the venue into account when making your plans.
大馬神社
三重県熊野市にある神社
花窟神社
三重県熊野市に所在する神社
Origins and History of Kumano Grand Fireworks Festival
The Kumano Grand Fireworks Festival is said to have originated with fireworks dating back approximately 250–300 years.
During the era of the feudal domains, fireworks mounted on a pole were used in the pine-pulling ritual held at Gokurakuji Temple in Kinomoto as part of the first Obon memorial service for the spirits of the deceased.
After being suspended during wartime, the festival resumed in 1946, and in 1963 its date was set as August 17.
Official information
Official information is available in the Kumano City Tourism Association’s guide to the Kumano Grand Fireworks Festival.
It includes visitor information such as postponements, traffic restrictions, and temporary parking.
The 2026 notice advised visitors to check the official website and other sources on the morning of the event for the final decision on whether it would go ahead.
Kumano Grand Fireworks Festival at a Glance
The Kumano Grand Fireworks Festival is a traditional fireworks festival held at Shichiri-Mihama Beach in Kumano, featuring fireworks set off at sea, three-shaku fireworks set off at sea, and the Onigajo grand display.
In 2026, the event was scheduled for August 17 (month). The venue is a 5-minute walk from JR Kumano-shi Station.
If traveling by car, check the traffic restrictions and conditions for using the temporary parking lots.
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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