Fall Fireworks: Yatsushiro National Fireworks Competition

Every October, 30 pyrotechnicians (or firework craftsmen) from all over Japan participate in afireworks competition in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto.Watch the beautiful fireworks in the night sky, and choose your favourite presentation.

Yatsushiro National Fireworks Competition

Every weekend in the summer, there are firework festivals somewhere in Japan, but from autumn to spring, there are firework competitions through out the country. One of them is the Yatsushiro National Fireworks Competition.

The Yatsushiro National Fireworks Competition takes place every 3rd Saturday of October in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto prefecture. It’s one of the largest firework competitions in Kyushu. In recent years, especially after the Kumamoto earthquake in 2016, the number of spectators making their way to see this competition has risen to about 30 million. The competition starts at 6:00 PM and usually lasts for about two hours. Food and drink booths are available from about 12:00 PM.

Fireworks are created by 30 qualified pyrotechinicians (or firework craftsmen). The pyrotechnicians that have gathered from all over Japan take turns to display their knowledge and skills. As each pyrotechnician starts his fireworks, the names of the craftsmen involved and an explanation of their work are announced. In the end, judges judge which firework displays were the most skillful and beautiful.

Types of Fireworks

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Three types of fireworks are displayed for the competition: the “starmine,” which displays rapid and continuous shots in a short time; the “size five firework balls” or fireworks that measure 85 meter in diameter and shoot up 190 meters high; and the “size 10 firework balls” with fireworks that measure 160 meters in diameter and shoot up 330 meters high. The competition is not separated by the type of firework but by the pyrotechnician. Of the 30 pyrotechnicians, nine are from Kyushu. They are allowed to participate in the competition for “size five firework balls” and “starmine.” All from outside of Kyushu can participate in “size five firework balls” and “size ten firework balls.”

Other fireworks such as large fireworks that shoot up over 500 meters with a 400 meter diameter and ones with music, will also be displayed. More details about that year’s fireworks can be found in the event’s program pamphlet handed out to spectators.

Japanese fireworks are considered one of the most beautiful in the world, and one of the reasons is because the fireworks have a ball-like shape. They are constructed carefully so that they look round from any direction. The skills of Japanese pyrotechnicians have been evolving over the years, and now they also mix in complex shapes such as hearts. They also produce new gunpowder formulas to create unique colors such as turquoise in their work. Perhaps the most recent development is the fireworks changing colors after the explosion. Every year, firework enthusiasts look forward to witnessing new skills or new colors being displayed in the night sky.

Purchase a Paid Seat for this Event

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On the day of the festival, the Kuma River Green Area (above Shin-Hagiwara Bridge) is open from noon with local food booths and events for all to enjoy.

If you are a traveler (and not a local) then we highly recommend purchasing a paid seat. You can see the firework displays right in front of you, and in the middle. There will not be bits of it you will miss because there’s a building blocking part of your view. You will be looking straight up and feel the impact of the fireworks right in front of you. You can hear announcements and music that pyrotechnicians chose to be played along with the fireworks clearly. Not to mention, there are special temporary toilets available for the paid seats area. If you are at the free section you will most likely have to stand in a long line.

Tickets for paid seats are sold from August until the day of the fire festival. There are seven different paid seats to choose from. The most popular seat “excite seats” lets you lie down on your back to watch the fireworks. They can be easily purchased at the nearest Lawson or Ministop convenience stores. Details below (keep in mind the price and number of seats may slightly vary from year to year): 1. Dream seats (2,500 yen/person, total of 2,500 seats)
Seats are first come first serve. These are seats in front of the judges, so you’ll hear their announcements clearly. You can see and hear the entire fire festival from these seats.

2. KIRIN special seats (3,500 yen/person, total of 1,000 seats)
   All seats are reserved. There is a drink bar especially for this seat section.

3. Excite seats (3,500 yen/person, total of 3,100 seats)
   Lie down, not sit up. Watch the night sky change colors lying down.

4. Super excite seats (5,000 yen/person, total of 1,950 seats)
   Watch the fireworks really up close, so close that you are provided with protective glasses to protect your eyes from the fireworks.

5. Couple seats (13,000 yen/person, total of 100 seats)
   You get two chairs, a blanket and protective glasses to protect your eyes from the fireworks

6. Photo area seats (10,000 yen for two people, 100 seats available)
   Located at the back of the paid seats area. Seats for photographers who want to take good shots of the fireworks. There are photo contests for this day.

7. Premium seats (13,000 yen/person 120 seats available)
   The first row. You get an adjustable low chair with a blanket and of course, protective glasses. As long as it’s not pouring rain, the event is on. If it’s pouring, the festival will be postponed to a different weekend in November.

Experience this large firework competition in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto and watch the beautiful works of different pyrotechnicians from all over Japan. It will definitely be a night to remember.

How to Visit

Address: Kuma River Green Area, Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto prefecture
Tel: 81-(0)965-33-4115 (Yatsushiro National Fireworks Festival Executive Committee Office)

Reference List

http://www.kinasse-yatsushiro.jp/hanabi/
https://kumanago.jp/en/events/detail/430000003630.html