Kurohone Summer Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include the Yagibushi contest, where performers compete in this local folk song, and the fireworks display that concludes the festival.

In 2026, approximately 1,000 fireworks were launched. The Yagibushi contest had preliminary and final rounds on the 15th, and continued on the 16th.

There are also children’s Yagibushi and trout-catching activities, making the daytime program a feature as well as the evening events.

A Bon festival in Kurohone enlivened by Yagibushi and fireworks

What to expect

The festival takes place over 2 days. The first day features an opening ceremony, children’s Yagibushi, the Yagibushi contest, and the announcement of the judging results and awards ceremony, in that order.

On the second day, there are trout-catching activities and performances from the afternoon, followed by the Yagibushi contest, fireworks display, and closing ceremony in the evening.

Advance registration is required to take part as a Yagibushi singer, and the trout-catching activity is for elementary school children and younger.

How to take part

You can watch, but participation requirements vary by event.

Advance registration is required to participate as an Ondo singer in the Yagibushi Competition. The trout-catching event is for elementary school students and younger.

For details about participant recruitment, please refer to the Yagibushi Competition application guidelines.

To participate as an Ondo singer in the Yagibushi Competition, check the application guidelines before applying.

A sample for filling out a return postcard is provided as an application method.

Registration for the trout-catching event opens at 1 p.m. on the day, and it is for elementary school students and younger.

Check participation details

Location and access

Venue and address

Kurohone Sports Park.

Train and bus

It is a 1-minute walk from Mizunuma Station on the Watarase Keikoku Railway.

On August 16, 1 special train departed Mizunuma Station for Kiryu Station after the fireworks.

By car

It is approximately 40 minutes via Route 122 from the Isesaki IC on the Kita-Kanto Expressway.

Parking

Parking is available at Kurohone Sports Park, with capacity for 150 cars and free of charge.

Congestion is expected on the day.

Source: 第39回 くろほね夏まつり（桐生市）の打ち上げ数・日程など - 花火大会2026 - ウォーカープラス

Event venue 群馬県桐生市 黒保根運動公園

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, the festival was held over 2 days, on August 15 (Saturday) and the 16th (Sunday).

The program runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the 15th and from 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the 16th.

The fireworks display took place from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the 16th.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

Since parking is expected to be congested, visitors are encouraged to travel by rail.

On the 16th, a special train ran from Mizunuma Station to Kiryu Station after the fireworks, allowing visitors to stay until the end of the display before heading home.

The event may be canceled in severe weather, so check its status if the weather is unsettled.

Nearby attractions

In Kurohone Town, where the venue is located, the Mizunuma Station Onsen Center is highlighted. It is directly connected to Mizunuma Station.

It is a facility where you can enjoy open-air baths and saunas while taking in views of the Watarase River gorge.

Also in the area is Roadside Station Kurohone Yamabiko, which sells local vegetables and maitake mushrooms, as well as handmade udon and soba. It offers a chance to experience Kurohone Town’s nature and local food.

Museums and art museumsKiryu City

大川美術館

群馬県桐生市にある美術館

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写真：Abasaa / Public domain

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Parks and gardensKiryu City

桐生が岡公園

群馬県桐生市にある公園

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写真：Salt256 / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Temples and shrinesKiryu City

桐生天満宮

群馬県桐生市にある神社

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写真：Ki-ak / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Museums and art museumsKiryu City

絹撚記念館

群馬県桐生市にある旧桐生撚糸会社の事務所

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写真：photo: Qurren ( talk ) Taken with Canon IXY 430F (Digital IXUS 245 HS) / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Kurohone Summer Festival

Kurohone Summer Festival is a Bon festival that has continued since the days of the former village of Kurohone, before it was merged into Kiryu City.

In Kurohone Town, a summer festival is said to have been held on August 15, the middle day of the Bon period. Today, it is held as an event featuring a Yagibushi contest and fireworks display.

In 2026, it was announced as the 39th annual event.

Official information

Event information and application guidelines are available on the “Kurohone Summer Festival” page of the official Kiryu City website.

The 2026 event information included the dates, venue, schedule for each day, Yagibushi contest registration, and special train details.

For inquiries, contact the Regional Development and Facilities Division at the Kurohone Branch Office of Kiryu City.

Kurohone Summer Festival at a Glance

Kurohone Summer Festival is a Bon festival in Kurohone Town featuring a Yagibushi contest, activities for children, trout-catching, and a fireworks display.

In 2026, the festival was held at Kurohone Sports Park on August 15 and the 16th, with approximately 1,000 fireworks launched on the 16th.

The venue is a 1-minute walk from Mizunuma Station. Since parking is expected to be congested, traveling by rail is convenient.