Name: Utsunomiya Fireworks Festival
Start: 2026-08-08
End: 2026-08-08
Location: Dojojuku Green Space, Utsunomiya (Kinugawa riverbank)

A fireworks display at Dojojuku Green Space, supported by Utsunomiya’s community volunteers. Themed presentations and locally rooted programs light up the summer night sky.

About Utsunomiya Fireworks Festival

The Utsunomiya Fireworks Festival is held on the banks of the Kinugawa River at Dojojuku Green Space in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture.

After the event had once come to an end, Utsunomiya community volunteers revived it in 2007, taking charge of planning and seeking sponsors.

Another distinctive feature is its aim to bring local people together through fireworks and create an event that will be passed down for generations.

In 2026, its 20th anniversary year, it was held under the theme of “100 Years.”

Source: 8月のイベント情報｜宇都宮市公式Webサイト / 【終了】2026うつのみや花火大会 | とちぎ旅ネット〜栃木の観光旅行情報サイト

Festival highlights

A highlight is the fireworks presentation, designed each year around a chosen theme.

Since 2012, the finale “Raito Utsunomiya” has expressed Utsunomiya through light and sound, inspired by the area’s frequent thunderstorms.

Other programs unique to the festival include “Hanabi no E Tenrankai,” which recreates preschool children’s drawings in fireworks, and “Kotodama Hanabi,” which entrusts the words of local residents to fireworks.

Source: うつのみや花火大会 - Wikipedia

A summer fireworks display in Utsunomiya, carrying the hopes of local residents into the night sky

What to expect

On the day, stage events take place at the venue, followed by the evening fireworks display.

In 2026, stage events were scheduled from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., and the fireworks display from 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

A major venue cleanup is also planned for the following morning. Organizers and volunteers support the event with setup, crowd guidance, dismantling, cleanup, and other tasks.

Source: Event information

How to take part

General visitors take part by watching the fireworks at the venue.

In 2026, all areas were announced as ticketed, and a ticket was required to watch the fireworks.

The organizers also recruit short-term Dream Staff and operations team members who help with preparations throughout the year, offering ways to get involved apart from being a spectator.

In 2026, tickets were required for all viewing areas, and no tickets were sold on the day.

Details of the fees are to be checked in the official information from Utsunomiya Hyakunen Hanabi or related materials.

Those wishing to take part as volunteers can apply through separate recruitment categories, such as Dream Staff; the process is different from purchasing a viewing ticket.

Location and access

Venue and address

Dojojuku Green Space, Utsunomiya (Kinugawa riverbank).

The address is Dojojuku-machi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-3237, Japan.

Train and bus

From the east exit of JR Utsunomiya Station, take the Lightline (bound for Haga-Takanezawa Industrial Park) for about 20 minutes, get off at Tobiyama Castle Ruins stop, and walk about 30 minutes.

Information is also available for taking the Kanto Bus bound for Yanagida Depot from JR Utsunomiya Station.

By car

About 30 minutes from Utsunomiya-Kaminokawa IC on the Kita-Kanto Expressway, and about 40 minutes from Utsunomiya IC on the Tohoku Expressway.

Parking

Traffic restrictions and congestion are expected around the venue.

The locations and number of parking spaces and shuttle buses provided by supporting companies and others vary from year to year.

Address Dojojuku-machi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-3237, Japan

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the dates shown have passed)

It is usually held from early August through around the second Saturday of August.

The 2026 event was scheduled for August 8 (Sat), from 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. It went ahead in rain, and in severe weather was postponed to August 9 (Sun).

The 2026 event was held as a 20th anniversary celebration and has now concluded.

Accommodation and hotels PR

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 Tochigi Prefecture / Utsunomiya City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Tips for your visit

Photo and data sources

写真：Ocdp / CC0

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Origins and History of Utsunomiya Fireworks Festival

Its origins date back to 1967, when fireworks were set off alongside a lantern-floating ceremony at Utsunomiya’s summer festival.

It continued afterward as part of the festival, but was once discontinued as it became difficult to obtain fire department permits.

Although the event was canceled in 2003, it was revived in 2007 when local volunteers formed an organizing committee. In 2012, an NPO was established with the hope that the event would continue for a hundred years.

Official information

Official information is available on the Utsunomiya Fireworks Festival website, operated by the NPO Utsunomiya Hyakunen Hanabi.

In 2026, information was posted on the event-day schedule, venue, access, important notes, and tickets.

After the event, information about lost property and volunteer recruitment for the following year is also posted.

Source: TOP