A local festival that brought summer to Yuya alive with voices, lights, and fireworks
Yuya Summer Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Event status
- Cancelled
- Season / frequency
- Usually August (before the decision to end the festival) / Annually (before the decision to end the festival)
- Area
- Yamaguchi Prefecture・Nagato City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 35 min–1 h 55 min · 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
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Held in the former Yuya area of Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, the Yuya Summer Festival was a local summer celebration combining a shouting contest with fireworks. It began in 1971, and a decision to end it was made in 2023.
About Yuya Summer Festival
The Yuya Summer Festival was held in the former Yuya area of Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The festival began in 1971, jointly organized by the Yuya Chamber of Commerce and the tourism association, and became a much-loved highlight of summer in the area.
Its main attractions were the “Howl Festival,” a loud-voice contest, and the “Yang Guifei Fireworks Fantasy,” combining fireworks, lasers, smoke, and flames.
The organizing committee decided to end the festival in 2023.
Source: 油谷夏まつり - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
Highlights included the “Howl Festival,” a contest to see who could shout the loudest, and fireworks displays featuring music, lasers, and flames.
At the Howl Festival, elementary school students and adult contestants who advanced through the qualifying rounds shouted onstage, with points awarded for the volume of their voices.
The “Yang Guifei Fireworks Fantasy,” which brought the festival to a close, featured a fantastical fireworks display inspired by the legend of Yang Guifei, which has been passed down in the former town of Yuya.
A local festival that brought summer to Yuya alive with voices, lights, and fireworks
What to expect
In the past, after summer qualifying rounds, the “Howl Festival” finals were held in August, followed by a fireworks display.
In the elementary school and general divisions, contestants shouted whatever they liked onstage, then competed in the final by shouting the same designated phrase.
Some years, food stalls lined the venue, and the festival ended with fireworks accompanied by music, lasers, and flames.
Source: 第45回油谷夏まつり - 長門の話題 - 長門市ホームページ
How to take part
The Yuya Summer Festival has been decided to end, so no upcoming edition that you can participate in has been announced.
In the past, there were elementary-school and general divisions, and those who advanced through the qualifying rounds took the stage in the finals.
There was also a format for enjoying the event as a spectator, but participation eligibility for 2026 has not been set.
No participant recruitment or application process has been announced for 2026.
In past finals, qualifying rounds were held at local elementary and junior high schools and other related venues, and those who advanced competed on stage.
There are currently no procedures to follow if you wish to participate.
Location and access
- Address
Nagato City
Host municipality 山口県長門市
This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.
Dates and season
The Yuya Summer Festival will not be held in 2026.
The executive committee decided to end the festival in 2023, and no dates or timing have been announced for 2026.
In the past, qualifying rounds were held in July, followed by the finals and fireworks display in August.
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 Yamaguchi Prefecture / Nagato City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
くじら資料館
山口県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
金子みすゞ記念館
山口県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
Origins and History of Yuya Summer Festival
The Yuya Summer Festival began in 1971, jointly organized by the Yuya Chamber of Commerce and the tourism association.
The first festival centered on and fireworks. Later, in 2001, the youth division of the Yuya Chamber of Commerce revamped the program and added the subtitle “Kyoen Festival.”
The festival developed into a program featuring the “Howl Festival” in the first half and the “Yang Guifei Fireworks Fantasy” in the second. After cancellations due to COVID-19, it was decided in 2023 that the festival would end.
Official information
The Nagato City website features records of past Yuya Summer Festivals.
The record for the 45th festival says that the “Kyoen Festival” was held at the Yuya General Sports Ground and describes stage events and fireworks displays.
Yuya Summer Festival at a Glance
The Yuya Summer Festival was held for many years in the former Yuya area of Nagato City.
Its distinctive features were the “Howl Festival,” a contest to see who could shout the loudest, and the “Yang Guifei Fireworks Fantasy,” featuring fireworks, lasers, and flames.
It began in 1971 and continued with changes to its program, but the organizing committee decided to end it in 2023.
No event is planned for 2026.
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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