Ojiya - Pristine Snowmelt and the World’s Largest Fireworks
Certified by the Guinness World Records, the world's largest fireworks light up the night at the Katakai Fireworks Festival in Ojiya, Niigata Prefecture! This article will introduce the best attractions in Ojiya and tours to experience its spectacular fireworks.
*This article was sponsored by the Niigata Prefectural Tourist Association.
Ojiya is a small rural city in the center of Niigata Prefecture famous for its heavy snowfall. It often gets upwards of 3 meters in the mountainous areas, and once spring arrives, the snowmelt gives birth to beautiful natural and rural scenery.
Ojiya is also the birthplace of the colorful “nishikigoi” carp and Ojiya chijimi fabric. Nishikigoi are a high-class ornamental carp raised in pristine snowmelt water, and they are often called “swimming jewels” for their elegant patterns. Ojiya chijimi is a fabric made from top-quality linen characterized by a unique grainy texture. After weaving, Ojiya chijimi is laid out over the snow to be naturally bleached, forming an iconic scene symbolizing the region and the coming of spring.
Ojiya - Untouched Nature, Snow Country Culture, and Gourmet Food
For those visiting Ojiya, we recommend checking out the Nishiwaki Residence, which was once the home of wealthy merchants who made a fortune selling Ojiya chijimi. The site contains a stunning 250-year-old traditional wooden home and a Japanese-style garden brimming with seasonal splendor, including lush green maples and moss in summer!
Another must-visit Ojiya attraction is Nishikigoi no Sato, the world's only facility dedicated to nishikigoi carp. It details the fascinating history of nishikigoi, who originated around 200 years ago from a mutation, and have been continuously studied and improved by the people of Ojiya. Inside the museum is a Japanese-style garden with bridges and waterfalls where you can admire 200 magnificent carp of 15 varieties up close.
For a taste of Ojiya’s local food, try “hegisoba” buckwheat noodles, which fuses Niigata's textile and noodle culture. These soba noodles are made with a seaweed called “funori,” traditionally used to stretch the weft threads of textiles. The seaweed acts as a binder to give the soba a slippery yet firm, elastic texture.
Ojiya’s Katakai Festival - The Largest Fireworks in the Guinness World Records!
The Katakai Festival is a traditional autumn celebration held at Asahara Shrine on the 2nd Friday and Saturday of September. It features a grand fireworks display dedicated to the shrine, dominated by the launch of the world’s largest firework, the “yonshakudama,” whose 800-meter-wide burst illuminates the night!
Traditional events are also held at the festival, like the Tamaokuri, a morning dedication of the fireworks to Asahara Shrine; and the Tsutsubiki, a ceremony to pray for the success and safety of the fireworks. A plethora of food stalls are set up around Asahara Shrine, completing the quintessential Japanese festival experience.
Recommended Tours for the Best Fireworks Viewing Experience!
9/12 (Thu) – 9/14 (Sat) — Premium Dining and Special Katakai Fireworks Festival Viewing Tour, Featuring the World’s Largest Firework
This is a tour designed for foodies, offering not only a special viewing space at the Katakai Fireworks Festival to see the yonshakudama, the world's largest firework, but also an opportunity to indulge in Japanese food culture.
You’ll relish the full spectrum of local Niigata ingredients through meals prepared by an international chef invited exclusively for this tour. Visitors can also participate in Japanese food-related activities, such as making “wagashi” traditional sweets at an old-time confectionary store, partaking in a tea ceremony, and creating instant miso soup in the ancient brewing district of Settaya.
As Ojiya is the birthplace of nishikigoi carp, this tour also includes a visit to Nishikigoi no Sato for a full appreciation of their beauty.
9/14 (Sat) – 9/15 (Sun) — Premium Nishikigoi and Special Katakai Fireworks Festival Viewing Tour, Featuring the World’s Largest Firework
On this tour, you’ll witness the jaw-dropping yonshakudama fireworks before a hands-on encounter with Ojiya’s nishikigoi carp.
The tour starts at the Katakai Festival, which boasts 400 years of tradition, then continues onto Nishikigoi no Sato to feed the nishikigoi carp. In the evening, you’ll watch the world's largest fireworks display from a special viewing area while enjoying a barbecue, and then get your own handheld fireworks to launch.
The next day, you’ll venture out into the terraced ponds of Yamakoshi to gently transfer nishikigoi carp from the ponds into tanks. This is a rare opportunity to touch and learn about the wonderful nishikigoi deep in a picturesque mountain village.
Katakai Fireworks Festival and Japanese Fireworks Experience - Special Viewing Seats for the World's Largest Fireworks!
This 4-hour tour lets you watch the yonshakudama fireworks from special viewing seats in a nearby park while chowing down on a scrumptious outdoor meal.
The food is provided by Suzu Group, who received the Niigata Gastronomy Award for their efforts to incorporate the climate, history, and culture of Niigata into their cooking. You’ll also receive handheld fireworks!
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Ojiya is a region where traditions continue to thrive and develop, evident in the preservation of the nishikigoi carp and the creation of the world's largest fireworks. To experience the mighty force of the yonshakudama, we recommend joining one of these Japan fireworks tours in Ojiya!
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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