Takashima’s summer fireworks light up the harbor and night sky
Otaru Takashima Fireworks
The 2026 edition of Otaru Takashima Fireworks has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/08Ended
- Location
- Otaru Municipal Fisheries Wholesale Market
- Area
- Hokkaido・Otaru City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · flight time only)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
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Paid. Prices vary by seating type; for example, single seats are ¥5,000 in advance and ¥8,000 on the day, while pair seats are ¥9,000 in advance and ¥14,000 on the day.
- Age restrictions
- Tickets are required for elementary school students and older. Preschool children are admitted free only when seated on the lap of a guardian aged 18 or older, with a limit of 1 child per guardian.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
At Takashima Fishing Port in Otaru, fireworks carrying thoughts of remembrance and prayers for a plentiful catch light up the sea and night sky. This fireworks display offers harbor-town sights such as underwater fireworks and Niagara-style fireworks.
About Otaru Takashima Fireworks
Otaru Takashima Fireworks is a fireworks display that lights up the night sky and sea around the fishing port in Takashima, Otaru.
Fireworks are launched in remembrance and to pray for a plentiful catch, carrying the community’s many hopes into the sky.
The display is also known for its seaside underwater fireworks and Niagara-style fireworks spreading out from Benten Island.
Festival highlights
Highlights include powerful fireworks enjoyed close to the fishing port and underwater fireworks that reflect giant blooms on the water.
The approximately 10,000 fireworks include a program selected by children from local Takashima Elementary School.
For the finale, Niagara-style fireworks stretch about 200 meters to either side of Benten Island, turning the night sky and sea golden.
Takashima’s summer fireworks light up the harbor and night sky
What to expect
From the viewing seats, visitors can enjoy a program progressing from fireworks in remembrance and fireworks praying for a plentiful catch to underwater fireworks and Niagara-style fireworks.
Food and drink booths inside the venue are available before the fireworks, but dedicated food tickets are required for food, drinks, and merchandise.
Shuttle buses run after the fireworks, so it is a good idea to check your transportation options for the trip back in advance.
Source: よくある質問 – 小樽高島花火 公式WEBサイト / Tickets · 会場 – 小樽高島花火 公式WEBサイト
How to take part
In 2026, all seats were paid and assigned, and a ticket was required to attend.
Children of elementary school age and older need a ticket. One preschool child per guardian aged 18 or older may attend free of charge only when sitting on the guardian’s lap.
A viewing admission ticket is also required to use the food and drink booths inside the venue.
Viewing tickets can be purchased through the ticketing site linked from the official website.
In 2026, several types of viewing seats were available, including chair, tatami, pair, and group seats. Some types included a shuttle bus or parking.
Availability varies by seating type, and the seats listed for 2026 are sold out.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Otaru Municipal Fisheries Wholesale Market (1-2-5 Takashima, Otaru, Hokkaido)
- Train and bus
Take a Chuo Bus from JR Otaru Station and get off at the Hinoko-mae bus stop, the closest stop to the venue.
Bus routes 2, “Otaru City Main Line,” and 10, “Otaru Aquarium Line,” are listed.
A ticket is required for the round-trip shuttle bus from JR Otaru Station.
- By car
You cannot drive your own vehicle to the area near the venue.
In 2026, traffic restrictions, including road closures for vehicles across a wide area, were in effect from 5 p.m.
- Parking
There is no dedicated parking near the venue.
For viewing tickets that include parking, check the conditions for the specific seating type.
Address 1-2-5 Takashima, Otaru, Hokkaido
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, it was held on August 8 (Saturday).
The venue is scheduled to open at 3 p.m., fireworks are scheduled from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the venue is scheduled to close at 10 p.m.
In severe weather, the event was to be postponed to August 9, the following day; if the weather was also severe the following day, it was to be canceled.
Source: 小樽高島花火 公式WEBサイト – 開催概要、観覧チケット、会場案内、アクセス、シャトルバス、よくある質問など、最新情報をご案内しています。
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 Hokkaido / Otaru City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Winds can be strong along the coast, and temperatures may drop at night, so a light jacket or blanket can be helpful.
The venue has asphalt and concrete surfaces, as well as some gravel paths, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
There are restrictions on bringing items such as umbrellas, tents, chairs, tables, and coolers into the seating areas, and roadside parking around the venue is prohibited.
Nearby attractions
Nearby attractions include the Temiya Cave Preservation Museum, the Former Aoyama Villa (Otaru Kihinkan), Otaru City General Museum, Otaru Aquarium, Otaru City Nishin Goten, Rinyu Morning Market, and the Otaru Canal.
These are options to consider for a visit before or after the fireworks to experience Otaru’s history, port-town scenery, and food culture.
Check each facility’s operating status and hours before visiting.
小樽オルゴール堂
北海道小樽市にあるオルゴールショップ · Museums
写真：松岡明芳 / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
小樽市総合博物館
北海道小樽市にある博物館
写真：Twilight2640 at Japanese Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
日和山灯台
北海道小樽市にある灯台
Origins and History of Otaru Takashima Fireworks
The first Otaru Takashima Fireworks event was held on August 9, 2025, and 2026 marked its 2nd edition.
After the first event drew far more visitors than expected, the 2026 event was held as a paid viewing event with advance reservations and assigned seats throughout the venue, to ensure safety and prevent crowd accidents.
A committee was formed by residents and businesses who wanted to energize Takashima and Otaru, and the event is run to promote the region.
Source: ご協賛募集 – 小樽高島花火 公式WEBサイト
Official information
The Otaru Takashima Fireworks official website provides information on the event, viewing tickets, venue, access, shuttle buses, important notes, and frequently asked questions.
For 2026 ticket purchases, the official website directed visitors to a ticket sales website.
Otaru Takashima Fireworks at a Glance
Otaru Takashima Fireworks is a summer fireworks display that lights up the sea and night sky around Takashima Fishing Port with approximately 10,000 fireworks.
Enjoy a program unique to a port town, including fireworks in remembrance, a prayer for a plentiful catch, underwater fireworks, and Niagara-style fireworks stretching about 200 meters.
In 2026, all seats were paid and assigned, and there was no parking near the venue, so it is important to prepare your ticket and public transportation arrangements in advance.
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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