Kumano Fireworks Festival: Mie's Sea Blasts & Onigajo Set Piece

Held on Shichirimihama Beach in Kumano City, Mie Prefecture, the Kumano Great Fireworks Festival (Kumano Dai Hanabi Taikai) is a powerful display staged over the World Heritage sea of Kumano. It is said to have begun more than 300 years ago as a memorial rite for hatsu-shoryo, the spirits of those observing their first Bon after death, making it an event with a long history.

Bold Fireworks That Make the Most of the Sea and the Rocks

The greatest highlight is the kaijo jibaku ("sea-surface self-detonation"), in which shells are lit one after another on board boats and thrown into the sea. The bands of light that burst just above the water's surface are overwhelming. There is also the Onigajo Grand Set Piece, which uses the rocky cliffs of the World Heritage site Onigajo, and the sanshakudama kaijo jibaku, in which a giant shell draws a semicircle over the Kumano Sea. Dynamic fireworks that could only happen here follow one after another. Around 10,000 shells scorch the night sea and sky.

A 350-Year Tradition Born from Memorial Rites

The origins of the Kumano fireworks are said to lie in hatsu-shoryo kuyo, the rite of welcoming for the first time at Obon the spirit of someone who has died. In the past, small fireworks were set off as an offering and their flames used to light lanterns; over the years this simple practice grew into today's grand fireworks festival. Shichirimihama, the setting for the display, is part of the Hamakaido, a section of the pilgrimage route to the Kumano Sanzan shrines, and a sacred beach registered as a World Heritage site. Onigajo, which rises behind the fireworks, is designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument and lies within Yoshino-Kumano National Park. It is a festival of prayer unique to this place, where faith, nature and fireworks come together as one.

Three-Shaku Shells Drawn on the Sea and Spectacular Set Pieces

The symbol of the Kumano fireworks is the giant sanshakudama kaijo jibaku, a huge shell that bursts on the sea. Thrown from a boat into the water, the shell, about 90 centimetres in diameter, explodes near the surface and draws a semicircle of light some 600 metres across over the Kumano Sea. The distinctive power of a shell opening right at the waterline, something only sea fireworks can offer, is overwhelming. Then comes the Onigajo Grand Set Piece, staged against the sheer rock walls of Onigajo, where the roar and light echoing off the cliffs merge until the whole rocky mountain seems to be ablaze. Bold staging that makes full use of both the sea and the rocks keeps the crowd cheering, one act after another.

When It Is Held and Getting There

It is usually held on 17 August, and in 2026 it is scheduled for Monday 17 August. The venue, Shichirimihama Beach, is only about a 5-minute walk from JR Kumanoshi Station, and the area in front of the station serves as a viewing zone.

Paid Viewing Seats

Sponsor viewing seats such as beach seats, embankment seats and camera seats are prepared and are obtained by applying in advance. If the waves are high, the event may be postponed to a reserve date. Please check the official information from the Kumano City Tourism Association for details of the schedule and the seating.

Practical Information for the Festival (2026)

• Date and time: Monday 17 August 2026, from around 19:00 (reserve dates: 21, 24 and 27 August)
• Number of shells: approx. 10,000
• Venue: Shichirimihama Beach, Kumano City, Mie Prefecture (a natural pebble beach)
• Nearest station: 5 minutes' walk from JR Kumanoshi Station
• Parking: Many temporary car parks are provided. The cleaning cooperation fee is 3,000 yen for an ordinary car (Kumano Seiran High School 400 spaces, Kinomoto Junior High School 320 spaces, Kuchiarima 70 spaces, Ofuki Pass 60 spaces) or 2,000 yen (Disaster Prevention Park 800 spaces, Municipal Athletics Stadium 490 spaces, Municipal Baseball Stadium 390 spaces, the former Kindai Technical College 410 spaces, Municipal Yamazaki Sports Park 280 spaces and others). Motorcycles 1,000 yen, microbuses 10,000 yen. There is also parking reserved for people with disabilities
• Paid viewing seats: Beach seats (masu-seki box seats) cost 15,000 yen per unit, giving a space of about 1.8 m x 1.8 m for up to 4 people, with 1 programme, 4 fans and 1 leisure sheet included, and entry from 16:00 on the day. Embankment seats cost 10,000 yen per unit for one folding chair (no table or extras; wheelchairs accepted). Children aged 3 and over need a ticket. For 2026, beach seats were sold first-come, first-served from 1 July, and embankment seats were allocated by lottery with applications from 9 to 18 June
• Toilets: The official venue map shows toilets at several locations, including in front of Kumanoshi Station, Kinomoto Elementary School, Kumano Civic Hall, the city hall, Idocho and Matsubara
• In case of rain: In stormy weather or high waves the event is postponed to a reserve date (21, 24 or 27 August). The final decision to hold or postpone is announced at 6:00 on the morning of the day on the official website and elsewhere. If it is postponed, tickets remain valid for the rescheduled date
• Traffic restrictions: Vehicles are prohibited in the town centre around the venue. Anyone with a home or workplace inside the area must apply for a transit permit
• Crowds and getting home: The official website has pages covering "detour routes around the congestion," "traffic information on the day" and "traffic restrictions on the Kumano-Owase Road"

(Sources: Kumano City Tourism Association official website; Mie Prefecture Tourism Federation)