National Fireworks Festival Tour/Travel 2025

These are the three fireworks festivals: the National Fireworks Competition (also known as Omagari National Fireworks Competition) in Akita Prefecture, the Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition in Ibaraki Prefecture, and the Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks Display in Niigata Prefecture.

・Picnic sheet
Fireworks displays are often held on riverbanks, so if you find it difficult to stand, bring a picnic sheet. Of course, it will also help you find a good spot.

・Folding chair
If you find that sitting for long periods of time makes your bottom hurt, it is convenient to bring a small, foldable chair. However, please note that some venues prohibit the use of chairs, so be sure to check the program beforehand.

·rain gear
It would be a disaster if it started raining while you were watching the fireworks. It's also a season with a lot of showers, so don't forget to bring a folding umbrella or raincoat. If you don't want to carry much, you can use a large garbage bag instead.

·water
Although there are alcoholic drinks and juices available at food stalls and vending machines, there isn't much water available. We recommend bringing water from home or buying it along the way.

・Insect repellent spray
Don't forget to take care, as it would be a shame to be unable to concentrate on watching the fireworks because of itchy insect bites.

・Small light
If it's dark and you can't see clearly, you may mistake your belongings or trip over them. If you want to avoid carrying your belongings, you can use the light on your smartphone instead.

Jacket
Even though it's summer, it can get chilly. If the event is held near the sea or a river, it's a good idea to bring a light jacket.

・Comfortable shoes
Avoid shoes that are difficult to walk in, such as heels. Sneakers are recommended, especially for those who want to focus on taking photos, as they will be moving around a lot.

1. Advance preparation
Check out the fireworks program.
At fireworks festivals, you may be able to get a program online or at the venue that tells you when and what kind of fireworks will be launched. If you know in advance what kind of fireworks will be launched, you are less likely to miss a chance to take a picture, so first take a look at the program to get an overall picture.

2. Composition
Position yourself to shoot the first fireworks and fill the screen.
Rather than trying to take a picture of the fireworks right after they start, focus on getting the composition right at first. Once you've confirmed the general location of where the fireworks will go up, check the next location to go up and get ready. Adjust the zoom so that the entire fireworks fill the entire frame.

3. Timing *Some settings may not be possible depending on the model.
Capture the exact moment the fireworks go off.
If you have a smartphone that takes a picture the moment you release your finger from the shutter button, you can capture the moment when the fireworks are in full bloom by touching the shutter button before the fireworks go off and then releasing your finger just before or at the same time as they bloom. Practice a few times to get the best timing for taking the picture.

4. Settings *Some settings may not be available depending on the model.
Set the ISO sensitivity to a low level.
Since you will be shooting in the dark, if you use the default settings, the brightness will not be right and the images will be blurred, ruining the beautiful fireworks. If you can set the ISO sensitivity (a number that indicates the camera's ability to capture light), set it to a low number, such as 100, when shooting bright fireworks. If you can select modes such as "Night Scenery" or "Fireworks," those are also OK.