A fireworks festival that lit up Kobe Port and the night sky
Minato Kobe Marine Fireworks Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- August 1st or 2nd Saturday (the period when it was held) / Once a year (when it was held)
- Area
- Hyogo Prefecture・Kobe City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 40 min–3 h 10 min · bullet 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
This fireworks festival launched fireworks from the waters of Kobe Port and could be viewed from various places around the port. It began in 1971 and, after its final edition in 2019, transitioned to a successor event featuring fireworks at multiple locations.
About Minato Kobe Marine Fireworks Festival
The Minato Kobe Marine Fireworks Festival was held at Kobe Port in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture.
The launch site stretched from Shinko Pier to the waters south of Meriken Park, with the harbor and night sky as its backdrop.
It was usually held on the first or second Saturday of August, but after the 2019 event, it transitioned to successor fireworks events held across multiple locations.
Festival highlights
A major highlight was being able to watch fireworks launched over the waters of Kobe Port from various spots around the harbor.
The launch area extended from Shinko Pier to the waters south of Meriken Park. Meriken Park, Nakatottei, and the area around Kobe Harborland were among the places listed for viewing.
The 2019 overview gives the number of fireworks as 10,000.
Source: みなとこうべ海上花火大会 - Wikipedia
A fireworks festival that lit up Kobe Port and the night sky
What to expect
When it was held, fireworks were launched over the waters of Kobe Port, and spectators watched from several locations set up around the port.
The 2019 edition was scheduled to run from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with rail services, temporary shuttle buses, and shuttle boats listed as ways to get there.
Paid sponsor seating was available at Shinko No. 2 Pier.
How to take part
This event did not involve visitors taking part in performances or competitions; it was an occasion to watch fireworks from around the venue.
Several harbor areas were listed as viewing locations, and paid sponsor seating was also available at some of them.
Which locations are available to general spectators, as well as fees and entry requirements, varies by year and viewing location.
Location and access
- Venue and address
From Shinko Pier in Kobe Port to the waters south of Meriken Park.
Viewing locations included Hyogo Pier, Port Island Shiosai Park, Port Island North Park, Shinko Piers 1–4, Naka Pier and Meriken Park, and the area around Kobe Harborland.
- Train and bus
For the JR Kobe Line, Sannomiya, Motomachi, and Kobe stations are listed; for the Hanshin Main Line and Kobe Kosoku Line, Kobe-Sannomiya, Motomachi, Nishi-Motomachi, and Kosoku-Kobe stations are listed; and for the Hankyu Line, Kobe-Sannomiya, Hanakuma, and Kosoku-Kobe stations are listed.
The Kobe Municipal Subway Kaigan Line and the Port Liner are also available.
Free shuttle bus service was announced for the day of the event.
- By car
Traffic restrictions are in place on the day, and station ticket gates may also be subject to access restrictions, so visitors arriving by car should expect congestion.
Event venue 兵庫県神戸市 神戸港の新港突堤からメリケンパーク南側海上にかけて
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
- Season
August 1st or 2nd Saturday (the period when it was held)
- Frequency
Once a year (when it was held)
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 Hyogo Prefecture / Kobe City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
During the event, traffic restrictions around the venue and restrictions on access through station ticket gates may have been imposed, and visitors were advised to use public transportation.
Since viewing locations are spread across several areas, it is important to check in advance where you plan to go and which transport options are available.
This information is based on past events, so please follow that year's guidance for current viewing conditions and traffic restrictions.
Nearby attractions
人と防災未来センター
兵庫県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
兵庫県立美術館
兵庫県神戸市「HAT神戸」にある美術館
布引ハーブ園
兵庫県の公園・庭園のスポットです。
生田神社
神戸市中央区にある神社
白鶴美術館
兵庫県神戸市東灘区にある美術館
写真：Original uploader was 663highland at ja.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·
神戸どうぶつ王国
兵庫県の公園・庭園のスポットです。
神戸ポートタワー
神戸港にあるタワー
神戸市立博物館
神戸市中央区京町にある博物館
神戸市立小磯記念美術館
神戸市東灘区にある美術館
Origins and History of Minato Kobe Marine Fireworks Festival
The fireworks festival was first held on Port Island in 1971 and continued as a signature summer fireworks event for Kobe Port.
The festival was last held in 2019. The 2020 and 2021 editions were canceled due to the spread of COVID-19.
Later, as waterfront redevelopment made it difficult to secure viewing areas, an event featuring fireworks at multiple locations was trialed in 2022, and from 2023 onward the festival transitioned to a successor event.
Minato Kobe Marine Fireworks Festival at a Glance
Minato Kobe Marine Fireworks Festival was a fireworks festival launched over the waters of Kobe Port and enjoyed from several venues around the port.
It began in 1971 and, after its final edition in 2019, transitioned to a successor event featuring fireworks at multiple locations, amid redevelopment and safety concerns.
The event listed for 2026 is “Minato HANABI 2026,” which has a different name and format from the original festival.
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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