The Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival is held every August. Did you know that fireworks are actually launched in neighboring areas from mid-July leading up to the festival's spectacular finale? In this article, we will introduce recommended fireworks festivals around Lake Biwa.
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Ogoto Onsen is said to have been opened about 1,200 years ago by Dengyo Daishi Saicho to reward the work of the craftsmen who built Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei, a World Heritage Site. Among them, Yumotokan is a long-established inn with a history of 96 years. The secret to its popularity is its four different hot springs, including an open-air bath overlooking Lake Biwa from the 11th floor and an open-air bath that gives the illusion of being a hot spring in the forest, as well as its Kyoto-style kaiseki meals made with carefully selected seasonal ingredients, including "certified Omi beef," one of Japan's three great wagyu beef brands. Although it is only 20 minutes by train from Kyoto, this inn allows you to feel the warmth of nature and Japan, such as Lake Biwa and the Hira mountain range.
This article introduces the highlights of notable fireworks displays, including the 2025 Lake Biwa Grand Fireworks Festival, as presented by Yumotokan , a long-established inn in Shiga Ogoto Hot Spring . Create unforgettable summer memories along with the beautiful fireworks.
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Table of Contents
- Fireworks Countdown to the Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival
- Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival, Easy Access from Kyoto
- Aichigawa Gion Summer Fireworks
- Otsu Shiga Fireworks Festival
- Koka-ryu Ninnin Fireworks Festival
- Ogoto Onsen Summer Fireworks Festival
- The Top Floor of Yumotokan's Hanare Karoi: A Hidden Gem for Watching Fireworks
Fireworks Countdown to the Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival
The Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival is Shiga Prefecture's representative summer fireworks festival. It is held every August and attracts many visitors from all over the Kansai region, as well as Shiga Prefecture.
However, that's not all there is to fireworks in Shiga Prefecture. In fact, from mid-July, many fireworks festivals are held in the neighboring areas of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, and the area comes together to enliven the summer in the run up to the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival, like a fireworks relay.
In this article, we will introduce the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival and the unique fireworks being held in the surrounding areas leading up to the festival.
Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival, Easy Access from Kyoto
Date: August 6, 2026 (Thursday) Launch Time: 19:30 - 20:30
The Lake Biwa Grand Fireworks Festival, held annually on the shores of Lake Biwa, will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026. This popular fireworks display in the Kansai region attracts approximately 300,000 people from all over Kansai each year, filling the shores of Lake Biwa. Around 10,000 fireworks, including starbursts and 3- to 10-inch shells, are launched against a backdrop of rich natural scenery. Visitors can enjoy the fireworks blooming in the night sky from the lakeside, along with sightseeing and local cuisine.
Aichigawa Gion Summer Fireworks
Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025 Launch time: 19:30~
This fireworks display, which began as a festival at Gion Shrine in the early Meiji period, boasts the longest history in Shiga Prefecture. Gion Shrine is known as the guardian deity of the bridge over the Echi River and is known for its blessings of traffic safety. Approximately 3,500 fireworks will brilliantly light up the summer sky of the lake country.
Otsu Shiga Fireworks Festival
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026, Launch time: 19:30 - 20:10
A fireworks display in Otsu City , Shiga Prefecture . Approximately 2,000 fireworks are launched from Lake Biwa, including star mines, underwater star mines, and Otama. The launch site is close to the viewing area, so you can enjoy a spectacular display of fireworks. The sight of the colorful fireworks reflected on the dark lake surface is exceptional. It is easily accessible, just a five-minute walk from the nearest station, and there are food stalls set up around the venue, so you can enjoy the fireworks while eating and drinking, which is a nice feature.
Koka-ryu Ninnin Fireworks Festival
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026 Fireworks display time: 19:45 - 20:15
The Ninnin Fireworks Festival colors the summer in Koka City. It takes place on the banks of the Yasu River River, and about 1,500 shots are launched into the summer night sky, making for some of the most impressive fireworks in Shiga Prefecture. Other highlights include the local mascot "Ninjaemon" and fireworks inspired by shuriken. On the day of the festival, there is also a "Ninnin Yokocho" where you can enjoy local gourmet food and festival staple food stalls, so you can enjoy delicious food and fireworks together.
Ogoto Onsen Summer Fireworks Festival
Date: August 1, 2026 (Friday) Launch time: 20:00 onwards
The fireworks launched from Ogoto Onsen Port are a regular summer event loved by locals. Prior to the fireworks display, a summer festival will be held in the parking lot of Ogoto Onsen Tourist Park from 5pm, with 30 food trucks and other stores. We also recommend the "Cold Udon with Sudachi Citrus Fragrance" that is only available at the fireworks display and is sold at the café in the tourist park.
The Top Floor of Yumotokan's Hanare Karoi: A Hidden Gem for Watching Fireworks
The best place to see the Ogoto Onsen Summer Fireworks Festival is from the open-air bath "Gesshin-no-Yu" at Yumotokan!
The open-air bath "Hanare Karoi Gesshin-no-Yu" Yumotokan at Yumotokan is a hidden spot to watch the Ogoto Hot Spring fireworks . *Please note that on the day of the 2026 fireworks display, it will be the men's bath.
Furthermore, among the "Hanare Karoi" detached rooms with private open-air hot spring baths , the luxury floors from the 10th to the 8th floor offer a hidden gem for enjoying fireworks from your room . Even if you're staying in one of the other rooms, how about enjoying an early dinner and then taking a 5-minute walk in your yukata to watch the fireworks—a truly luxurious summer day?
Enjoy more than just fireworks! The facility also offers its annual summer vacation activities.
Also, Ogoto Hot Spring Yumotokan will be holding its annual summer holiday "Omi Beef Bingo Game" from July 18th (Sat) to August 30th (Sun), 2026, starting at 8:30 PM. In which one lucky winner will receive 1 kg of certified Omi beef steak each day. (Limited to guests staying overnight or having dinner. Participation is free.) Please come with your family and loved ones to create wonderful summer memories this year.
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