A spectacular fireworks display on the banks of the Nagara River, carrying forward hopes for recovery
Nagara River National Fireworks Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- August first Saturday (former event) / Held annually (former event)
- Location
- Nagara River bank, Gifu City (between Nagara Bridge and Kinka Bridge)
- Area
- Gifu Prefecture・Gifu City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h–2 h 30 min · bullet train + connecting 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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A fireworks festival that began in 1946 along the banks of the Nagara River in Gifu City. Known for launching around 30,000 fireworks and its varied starmines, the former event ended after its 2019 edition and has been merged into the “Gifu Nagara River Fireworks Festival” since 2023.
About Nagara River National Fireworks Festival
The Nagara River National Fireworks Festival was a fireworks event held along the banks of the Nagara River in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture.
It began in 1946 and brought color to the river in summer, with the stretch between Nagara Bridge and Kinka Bridge as its stage.
The event was canceled from 2020 through 2022. Since 2023, it has been held as the “Gifu Nagara River Fireworks Festival,” following its merger with the Nationally Selected Nagara River Chunichi Fireworks Festival.
The former event under its old name was last held in 2019.
Source: 長良川全国花火大会 - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
In the past, around 30,000 fireworks were launched. Along with standard aerial fireworks, the show featured a variety of displays, including Niagara Falls-style fireworks.
Another distinctive feature was that fireworks were launched from multiple locations—not just in front of the viewing area, but also from boats on the river, along wires stretched across the river, and from the riverbank in front of the Gifu Grand Hotel.
The starmines, with their continuous launches that seemed to fill the entire field of view, were a highlight.
A spectacular fireworks display on the banks of the Nagara River, carrying forward hopes for recovery
What to expect
At the former event, visitors watched the fireworks from the viewing area along the Nagara River on summer evenings.
In a typical schedule, the fireworks began at around 7:30 p.m. and finished by 9 p.m. at the latest.
Visitors watched displays not only launched directly in front of them, but also over the river and from the opposite bank, culminating in a series of starmines.
The former event is no longer held; the “Gifu Nagara River Fireworks Festival,” created after the merger, is now held instead.
How to take part
The Nagaragawa National Fireworks Festival was held as a fireworks display open to the general public.
The former event drew many spectators, but it was canceled from 2020 through 2022. From 2023 onward, it was replaced by a merged event under a different name.
Location and access
- Venue
Nagara River bank, Gifu City (between Nagara Bridge and Kinka Bridge)
Event venue 岐阜県岐阜市 岐阜市長良川河畔
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
- Season
August first Saturday (former event)
- Frequency
Held annually (former event)
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 Gifu Prefecture / Gifu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
三甲美術館
岐阜県岐阜市にある美術館
加藤栄三・東一記念美術館
岐阜県岐阜市にある美術館
写真：Douggers at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5
Photo source ·
名和昆虫博物館
岐阜県岐阜市にある博物館
奥の細道むすびの地記念館
日本の岐阜県大垣市にある記念館
岐阜公園
岐阜市の公園
写真：Douggers at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5
Photo source ·
岐阜市歴史博物館
岐阜県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
写真：Douggers at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5
Photo source ·
岐阜市科学館
岐阜県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
岐阜県美術館
岐阜県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
水の資料館
岐阜県岐阜市にある上水道に関する資料館
金神社
岐阜市にある神社
鵜飼資料園
岐阜県岐阜市にある長良川鵜飼に関する資料館
Origins and History of Nagara River National Fireworks Festival
The 1st edition was held in 1946, the year after the end of the war, jointly organized by Gifu Times and Tokai Evening Newspaper.
The fireworks were launched with hopes for recovery and Gifu’s renewal, and are said to have given people in postwar Gifu City hope for the future.
There are also records of fireworks being launched on the Nagara River in 1733; the “National Fireworks Display” held during the prewar “Ukai Festival” is considered the origin of today’s event.
Official information
The current Nagara River fireworks event is presented as the “Gifu Nagara River Fireworks Festival,” formed in 2023 by merging the former event with the Nationally Selected Nagara River Chunichi Fireworks Festival.
Information about events held under the name Nagara River National Fireworks Festival should be distinguished from information about the post-merger event.
For 2026, the official information listed is for the event after the merger, not the former event.
Source: ぎふ長良川花火大会【公式ホームページ】 | 2026年8月8日（土）に岐阜市で開催される「ぎふ長良川花火大会」の公式ホームページです。
Nagara River National Fireworks Festival at a Glance
The Nagara River National Fireworks Festival began in 1946 and has launched around 30,000 fireworks along the banks of the Nagara River in Gifu City.
It began with hopes for recovery and was known for displays that made use of the river’s wide banks, including Niagara-style fireworks and varied starmines.
The former event ended after its 2019 edition and has been merged into the “Gifu Nagara River Fireworks Festival” since 2023.
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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