【Guaranteed Departure】2-Day Katakai Fireworks Tour: Round-trip Shinkansen, featuring the 'Katakai Matsuri Dedication Fireworks,' one of the Three Great Fireworks Festivals of Echigo, viewed from box seats.
・A high-quality, reliable Japan tour planned by Club Tourism, a major Japanese travel agency with over 70 years of history. Our tour guides, known for their hospitality, will accompany you, and we have received high praise from international guests.
・While the tour is conducted in Japanese, many guests from Taiwan and Hong Kong participate, so first-timers can join with peace of mind.
・Enjoy the fireworks at your leisure from a 'Masu' box seat until the end of the festival!
・Round-trip Shinkansen included (Round-trip: Tokyo – Echigo-Yuzawa)
・Visit Yahiko Shrine, the Ichinomiya of Echigo.
・Enjoy shopping and lunch on your own in Teradomari.
・On the first day, enjoy a dinner of 'Uonuma Koshihikari rice and local Japanese cuisine' in Uonuma.
Product Info
【Katakai Festival Dedication Fireworks】
- Enjoy the fireworks at your leisure from a reserved 'Masu' box seat until the end of the festival!
- The 'Katakai Festival,' boasting a 400-year tradition, is held every September in Katakai Town, known as the birthplace of the 'Sanshakudama' (three-foot shell). It is an enthusiastic festival where the entire town is filled with fireworks, including the launch of the 'Yonshakudama' (four-foot shell), which reaches a diameter of approximately 800 meters. Because the area behind the launch site is a small hill that acts like a folding screen, you can enjoy the powerful, booming sounds of the fireworks as they echo off the terrain.
- It is one of the 'Echigo Three Great Fireworks' festivals. It is said that Kashiwazaki is for the sea, Nagaoka is for the river, and Katakai is for the mountains.
- Enjoy a visit to Yahiko Shrine, the Ichinomiya of Echigo, shopping and lunch on your own in Teradomari, and tasting and shopping at Asahi Shuzo.
- Enjoy a dinner of 'Uonuma Koshihikari rice and local Japanese cuisine' in Uonuma.
≪Notes≫
- Please note that there will be a walk from the parking lot to the fireworks venue (approx. 20-30 minutes), so please wear comfortable walking shoes. We will arrive at the venue early around 17:30 to account for expected crowds.
- You will be watching from a reserved 'Masu' box seat. Please be aware that these seats consist of sitting on plywood boards.
- You are welcome to bring cushions, but please refrain from using folding chairs, tripods, or umbrellas.
- In the event of heavy rain, typhoons, wind speeds of 10m/s or higher, or if a warning is issued, the fireworks display may be canceled.
- If the fireworks display is canceled after your trip has departed, there will be no refunds for the tour price or the cost of the box seats.
- The lingering summer heat can be intense depending on the year, so please take measures against the heat. Also, temperatures drop at night, so please bring a jacket to stay warm.
* This product is a 'request booking,' and it may take some time to confirm your reservation. Bookings are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, so depending on availability, you may be placed on a waiting list or we may be unable to accept your booking. Final confirmation of your reservation will be provided upon the issuance of your voucher. In the unlikely event that the tour cannot be operated due to being fully booked, we will contact you within the specified timeframe. Please note that if you do not wish to be placed on a waiting list, cancellation (with a refund) is also possible.
* This tour is conducted in Japanese only.
Please note that all guidance provided by the tour conductor during the trip will be in Japanese only. However, to ensure the smooth operation and safety of the tour, we will provide information (such as meeting points and departure times) to the extent possible using translation apps.
Please observe the following when participating:
- Please book using your correct name and email address.
- Please adhere to the meeting times during the tour. If you miss the meeting time, the tour will depart without you.
Katagai Festival Dedication Fireworks (Image / *Customer photo: Akio Soma, Tokyo resident)
Yahiko Shrine
Purchase Notice
[Travel conditions]
Departure point/Destination: Tokyo/Niigata
Trip duration: 1 night, 2 days
Transportation used: chartered bus and Shinkansen (bullet train)
Bus company: Showa Kanko or equivalent
Meal plan: Breakfast 1 time, Lunch 0 times, Dinner 1 time
Accommodation: Toyoko Inn Tsubame-Sanjo Ekimae or equivalent class.
Room type: Western-style room (single) [with bathroom and toilet]
<List of equivalent classes>
Hotel Route Inn Tsubame-Sanjo Ekimae
APA Hotel Niigata Tsubame-Sanjo Ekimae
*We cannot accommodate requests for specific accommodations.
Minimum number of participants: 1
Tour guide: 1
Guide: 0 (Guidance will be in Japanese) *A licensed tour guide will not accompany the tour.
[Travel planning/execution]
Company Name: Club Tourism International Inc
Address: 1-9-6 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Registration Number: Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 1693
Affiliated travel industry association: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) Regular Member
[Consignment Sales]
KKDAY JAPAN Co., Ltd.
2nd Floor, WESTALL Yotsuya Building, 1-22-5 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004, Japan
Registered Travel Agency No. 2045, Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency
Member organization: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Reminders
A minimum of 1 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 21 day(s) before the departure date
Please leave the seating arrangements for transportation (bus, airplane, train, etc.) and accommodation room assignments to us. We kindly ask that you refrain from reclining your bus seat.
Even when booking for two or more people, train seats may not be adjacent or may be separated. Please be aware of this in advance.
On the first day of the trip, please have lunch on your own before gathering.
Travel times may vary depending on road conditions. Furthermore, due to unexpected traffic congestion or overcrowding at tourist spots, we may be forced to omit some sightseeing locations, shorten sightseeing times, or delay arrivals or departures from accommodations.
Since the fireworks display is scheduled to end at 22:20, we plan to arrive at the accommodation around 24:00.
FAQ
1. What is the typical schedule for the Katakai Fireworks Festival?
The Katakai Fireworks Festival, also known as the Katakai Matsuri Hōno Daikakuenka, is traditionally held annually over two days, typically on September 9th and 10th. This grand festival features a variety of firework displays each evening, culminating in spectacular finales with large-scale shells.
2. What are the unique features and highlights of the Katakai Fireworks Festival?
The Katakai Fireworks Festival is renowned for being one of Echigo's three great fireworks festivals. A major highlight is the dedication of massive fireworks, including the impressive Four-Shaku shell, which is one of the largest single fireworks shells launched in the world. The festival's unique traditional atmosphere and the sheer scale of its pyrotechnic displays make it a truly special event.
3. Is the Four-Shaku shell at the Katakai Fireworks Festival considered the world's largest?
Yes, the Four-Shaku shell launched at the Katakai Fireworks Festival is widely recognized as one of the world's largest single fireworks shells. It measures approximately 120 cm (about 47 inches) in diameter and weighs around 420 kg (about 926 lbs), creating an explosion that can reach over 800 meters (about 2,600 feet) in diameter.
4. In which prefecture is the Katakai Fireworks Festival located?
The Katakai Fireworks Festival is located in Ojiya City, within Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Niigata is situated on the west coast of Honshu and is known for its beautiful natural landscapes, particularly its rice fields, and a rich cultural heritage.
5. When is the best time to view the fireworks at the Katakai Fireworks Festival?
For the most spectacular experience at the Katakai Fireworks Festival, the evening hours are generally considered the best time to view the fireworks. The festival features continuous displays throughout the evening on both days, with grand finales presenting the largest and most impressive shells, including the famous Four-Shaku shell.
6. What is the viewing experience like from the 'Masu-seki' box seats at the Katakai Fireworks Festival?
From the 'Masu-seki' box seats, visitors can enjoy a comfortable and unobstructed view of the Katakai Fireworks Festival. These special reserved seats allow for a relaxed experience, ensuring you can fully immerse yourself in the grand displays and watch the entire festival program at ease until its conclusion, without needing to jostle for a spot.
7. What can visitors experience at Yahiko Shrine during the tour?
During the tour, visitors will have the opportunity to visit Yahiko Shrine, which is historically recognized as Echigo Ichi-no-miya (the chief shrine of the ancient Echigo Province). You can experience the serene atmosphere of this important Shinto shrine, explore its beautiful grounds, and observe traditional Japanese spiritual practices within a picturesque setting.
8. How is transportation handled for the Katakai Fireworks Festival tour, specifically regarding the Shinkansen?
The tour includes convenient round-trip transportation by Shinkansen (bullet train) between Tokyo and Echigo Yuzawa. This ensures a comfortable and efficient journey, allowing participants to reach the vicinity of the Katakai Fireworks Festival directly and with ease, minimizing travel time and maximizing enjoyment.
