Lighting up the night skies of Kagoshima! How to best enjoy Kyushu’s largest fireworks display

The 22nd Kagoshima Kinko Bay Summer Night Fireworks Festival is due to take place on Saturday, August 24, with a moving display to pray for the Noto Peninsula’s recovery. Fireworks will be launched from two locations to paint the entire sky, with an epic finale of 2,222 consecutive fireworks set to music.

Paid seating is available at the venue to allow visitors to view the fireworks in a calm atmosphere away from the expected crowds. A variety of seating options are available, including chair seats at the North Pier, which are closest to the fireworks, box seats ideal for family and friend groups, and set areas where you can bring your own chairs and build your own set-up.

Pets, as well as tents, parasols, or other objects that may obstruct the view of others are not allowed. Chairs and cameras with tripods are permitted only in designated areas. Please arrive at the venue with plenty of time to spare and enjoy the event in accordance with the rules.
 

Traditional ‘noryo’ boats offer a more elegant way to view fireworks while feeling the cool sea breeze. Watch the gorgeous display from the COSMO LINE – Princess Wakasa, or if you are looking for something truly spectacular, take the Orita Kisen Ferry, Yakashima 2. This ferry stays in the harbor so visitors can catch the fireworks from a prime location, making it the perfect choice for families or groups of friends who wish to enjoy the fireworks in a luxurious atmosphere.

This huge fireworks display is only held once a year, so why not go all out and dress up in a traditional yukata? ‘Kimono Suki Bibi’ is located just a 15-minute walk from the venue, offering beautiful yukata rentals to help you make truly festive memories. Professional kimono dressers will be on hand to dress you to the nines so you can enjoy the fireworks in true Japanese style. Reservations are filling up fast, so hurry if you want to join in this pretty summer tradition!
 

If you prefer to avoid the crowds at the festival venue, Mount Shiroyama is highly recommended for its 107-meter-high observatory that overlooks Kinko Bay. The panoramic views of the night sky from this quiet spot makes it the perfect place to snap iconic photos of the display.

Yojirogahama, facing Kinko Bay, also offers good visibility. Stretching out in a straight line just beyond the breakwater, the ‘Yojirogahama Long Waterway’ offers the perfect unobstructed photo opportunity.
 

If you are planning to visit the Kagoshima Kinko Bay Summer Night Fireworks Festival, be sure to stop by Kagoshima City Aquarium, which exhibits majestic marine creatures mainly from the Kagoshima region. Located close to the fireworks site, the aquarium will be open until 11:00pm on the day of the festival, and will be holding summer-exclusive events.

Watch the world’s largest fish, the whale shark, eat its meal in a powerful display. The aquarium is the only place in the whole of Kyushu where these giant creatures can be seen in captivity. The ‘Summer Vacation Special Backyard Tour’ also gives visitors a peek behind the scenes of the aquarium, including exclusive access to breeding information that can only be heard here!