Kanto · GunmaFestival
Street mikoshi and taiko by day give way to one of northern Kanto’s largest fireworks shows over the Karasu River.
Overview
The Takasaki Matsuri is the big summer festival of Takasaki, Gunma’s largest city. It combines a lively street celebration of portable shrines and drumming with a major fireworks display, the Takasaki Great Fireworks, which sends roughly 15,000 shells over the Karasu River.
Together they make one of the standout August events in the northern Kanto region.
When & Where
The 2026 festival is held on August 22 and 23, with the fireworks typically on the Saturday evening, around 19:30 to 20:20, on the Karasu River riverbed upstream of the Wada Bridge. Street events centre on Takasaki’s downtown.
Nearest station: JR Takasaki Station.
Getting There
Takasaki is about 50 minutes from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen. The downtown festival is a short walk from the station’s west exit, and the fireworks riverbed is roughly 15 minutes on foot. Expect busy trains around the fireworks finish.
What to Expect
By day, mikoshi teams and taiko drummers move through the city centre with dancing and stalls. After dark on the fireworks night, rapid-fire starmine sequences and large shells light the river, drawing big crowds to the banks and bridges nearby.
Tickets & Access
The street festival is free to enjoy. Paid reserved seating is sold for the fireworks, with adult seats around 3,000 yen and other categories available; general riverside viewing is free but fills early.
Tips for Visitors
For the fireworks, arrive well before dusk to claim a riverbank spot, or buy a paid seat in advance for comfort. Bring a fan and water for the August heat, and scout your walking route back to the station before the show ends.
Access and Map
| Dates | August 22–23, 2026 (Great Fireworks on the Saturday evening) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Central Takasaki & Karasu River riverbed, Takasaki, Gunma |
| Access | Walk from JR Takasaki Station west exit; fireworks site ~15 min on foot |
| Admission | Festival free; paid fireworks seating (from ~3,000 yen adults) |
| Official site | Takasaki Matsuri (official) |
Source: Takasaki Matsuri (official)
