Here’s the 2016 summer fireworks (hanabi) schedule for Shiga Prefecture (Shiga-ken hanabi) listed by date. Keep in mind that foul weather is always possible and fireworks can be canceled.
Updated: July 14, 2016
Essential vocabulary
Hanabi (花火) – fireworks
Hanabi Taikai (花火大会) – fireworks (sometimes a contest)
Natsu Matsuri (夏まつり) – Summer festival
Noryo (納涼) – Enjoying the cool of a summer evening (at a river, park, etc.)
Compiled by Philbert Ono
July 9, 2016
♦ Takamiya Noryo Hanabi Taikai in Takamiya, Hikone, 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Near the Inugami River Muchinbashi Bridge. 10-min. walk from Ohmi Railways Takamiya Station. If rained out, to be postponed to July 10.
高宮納涼花火大会
More info: 高宮商工繁栄会 TEL：0749-22-2075
http://kansai.pia.co.jp/special/hanabi2016/kyoto_shiga/takamiya.html
July 16, 2016
♦ Echigawa Gion Noryo Hanabi Taikai in Aisho, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
At two locations along the Echigawa River bank near Miyukibashi Bridge. 15-min. walk from Ohmi Railways Echigawa Station. If rained out, to be postponed to July 23. About 40,000 people are expected.
愛知川祇園納涼祭花火大会
More info: 愛知川駅コミュニティハウスるーぶる愛知川 TEL：0749-42-8444
http://kansai.pia.co.jp/special/hanabi2016/kyoto_shiga/echigawa.html
Canceled in 2016: ♦ Yasu River Hanabi Taikai in Ritto, ?? pm – ?? pm
Along the Yasu River. 20-min. walk from JR Moriyama Station. A variety of activities (hot air balloon rides, flea market, and more) will held in the afternoon. If rained out, to be postponed to July ??.
野洲川花火大会
More info: 栗東市観光物産協会 TEL：077-551-0126
http://tinyurl.com/ozeotyj
July 23, 2016
♦ Otsu Shiga Hanabi Taikai fireworks, 7:45 pm – 8:30 pm
Watch the fireworks over the lake from the famous Omi-Maiko beach. Near JR Omi-Maiko Station (Kosei Line) in western Otsu. If rained out, to be postponed to July ??.
大津志賀花火大会
More info: 大津志賀花火大会実行委員会 TEL：077-592-0378\
July 30, 2016
♦ Koka Natsu Matsuri fireworks in Minakuchi, Koka, 7:45 pm – 8:30 pm
Koka’s biggest fireworks display held along Yasu River. Part of a local festival of stage entertainment, games, and food stalls. Near Ohmi Railways Minakuchi Jonan Station.
甲賀夏まつり
More info: 甲賀市観光協会 TEL：0748-60-2690
Aug. 1, 2016
♦ Hikone Dai-Hanabi Taikai at Matsubara Beach, Hikone, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
35-min. walk from Hikone Station. Shuttle buses provided from Hikone Station to a sports ground from which it’s a 15-min. walk to the beach. If rained out, to be postponed to Aug. 2.
彦根大花火大会
More info: （社）彦根観光協会 Phone: 0749-23-0001
http://kansai.pia.co.jp/special/hanabi2016/kyoto_shiga/hikone.html
♦ Ogoto Onsen Noryo Hanabi Taikai in Ogoto Port, Otsu, 8 pm – 8:30 pm
20-min. walk from Ogoto Onsen Station. Fireworks can be seen from most onsen (hot spring) ryokan and outdoor baths in Ogoto. If rained out, to be postponed to Aug. 2.
おごと温泉納涼花火大会
More info: おごと温泉観光協会 Phone: 077-578-1650
http://kansai.pia.co.jp/special/hanabi2016/kyoto_shiga/ogoto.html
♦ Omi-Imazu Furusato Natsu Matsuri, Takashima, 9:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Climax of Imazu’s summer festival starting from 1 pm.
近江今津ふるさと夏祭り やっさ！今津！！2016
More info: 近江今津ふるさと夏まつり実行委員会事務局 Phone: 0740-22-2108
Aug. 4, 2016
♦ Nagahama Kita-Biwako Hanabi Taikai at Nagahama Port, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
10-min. walk from Nagahama Station. Very crowded so go early to save a spot or pay for special seating for 1,500 yen or 2,500 yen. If rained out, to be postponed to Aug. 5.
長浜・北びわ湖大花火大会
More info: 長浜市観光振興課 Phone: 0749-65-6521
http://kansai.pia.co.jp/special/hanabi2016/kyoto_shiga/nagahamakitabiwako.html
Aug. 6, 2016
♦ Makino Summer Carnival at Makino Sunny Beach, Takashima
マキノサマーカーニバル2016
More info: 四季遊園マキノ交流促進協議会事務局 Phone: 0740-28-8002
♦ Takashima Summer Festival at Makino Sunny Beach, Takashima, 9:00 pm
２０１６たかしま夏まつり
More info: たかしま夏まつり実行委員会 Phone: 0740-36-2011
♦ Ujisato Matsuri Summer Gathering in Hino, 8:45 pm – 9 pm
Fireworks is the climax of this summer festival (bon dance, etc.) held in the northern parking lot of Hino Town Hall starting in mid-afternoon.
氏郷まつり「夏の陣」2016
More info: 日野町イベント実行委員会 Phone: 0748-52-6562
http://kansai.pia.co.jp/special/hanabi2016/kyoto_shiga/ujisato.html
♦ Kotonarie Summer Festa in Higashi-Omi’s Hibari Park
Part of an illumination and music festival. 20-min. by bus from Yokaichi Station. Fireworks start at 8:40 pm.
コトナリエサマーフェスタ2015
More info: 東近江市湖東商工会 Phone: 0749-45-2571
http://kansai.pia.co.jp/special/hanabi2016/kyoto_shiga/kotonarie.html
♦ Konan Natsu Matsuri in Konan, fireworks at 8:00 pm
Fireworks is the climax of this summer festival (Goshu Ondo bon dance, stage entertainment, etc.) held at the Yasugawa River Shinzui Koen park (野洲川親水公園).
湖南市夏まつり
More info: 湖南市観光協会 Phone: 0748-71-2157
http://www.burari-konan.jp/
Aug. 8, 2016
♦ Biwako Dai-Hanabi Taikai at Hama-Otsu and Nagisa Park, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
This is the big one, but a steep admission (around 4,300 yen, even for children above age 3) is charged in prime viewing areas along Hama-Otsu. Hama-Otsu Port will be totally walled off so you cannot see the fireworks from the street. Farther away is the free area along Nagisa Park which is terribly crowded with people reserving viewing spots from noon. Spectacular show, but have fun trying to get home via the tiny nearby train stations or gridlocked roads afterward. Foul weather will postpone it to Aug. 10. (If the weather is questionable, call 0180-99-3339 to find out if the fireworks will be held or not.)
びわ湖大花火大会
More info: びわ湖大花火大会実行委員会 TEL: 077-511-1530
http://kansai.pia.co.jp/special/hanabi2016/kyoto_shiga/biwako.html
Aug. 16, 2016
♦ Somagawa Natsu Matsuri near Kibukawa Station, Koka
Fireworks are part of the summer festival with taiko drummers and lantern floating on the river.
杣川夏まつり
More info: 甲賀市観光協会 Phone: 0748-65-0708
Aug. 17, 2016
♦ Takebe Taisha Senkosai Fireworks at Seta River in Otsu, 8:00 pm – 9 pm
Near Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge. Short walk from Karahashi-mae Station on the Keihan Line. Fireworks will climax the waterborne Takebe Taisha Senkosai festival on boats.
瀬田川花火大会
More info: 建部大社 Phone: 077-545-0038
http://kansai.pia.co.jp/special/hanabi2016/kyoto_shiga/takebe.html
Aug. 25, 2016
♦ Kinomoto Jizo Dai-ennichi fireworks near JR Kinomoto Station
Climax of a local festival with food stalls and games held during Aug. 22-25.
木之本地蔵大縁日 8月22日（日）～25日（水）（花火は25日のみ）
More info: ふるさと夏まつり実行委員会 Phone: 0749-82-5900
http://kitabiwako.jp/event/event_9406/
