The Katakai Festival in Ojiya City is home to some of the world’s largest fireworks — including the legendary 4-shaku (120 cm diameter) shells that shake the ground when they detonate.
What It Is
Held in September in the small town of Katakai, this local festival is a national intangible folk cultural property. The 4-shaku (yonshaku dama) shells measure 120 cm in diameter and open to nearly 800 meters in the sky.
Highlights
The physical impact of the 4-shaku shells is unlike any other fireworks experience — the ground trembles, the sky fills horizon to horizon, and the boom resonates through the body. Combined with the small-town autumn festival atmosphere, it feels genuinely unique.
Best For
Fireworks enthusiasts; travelers seeking unusual and off-the-beaten-path Japanese experiences.
Best Season
September (typically around September 9–10 — dates tied to the harvest festival calendar). Check the official schedule each year.
Access
From Nagaoka Station: JR Shin-etsu Line to Miyauchi Station (~20 min), then taxi or walk (~20 min) to the festival site. From Niigata City by car: about 60–70 minutes.
Travel Tips
Bring ear protection — the 4-shaku shells are extremely loud. The venue is small and intimate compared to Nagaoka. Accommodation is less constrained than the major festivals, but booking in advance is still wise.
Japanese version: 片貝まつりの花火（日本語）