As summer fades into autumn, Niigata Prefecture's Ojiya City celebrates the Katakai Festival, one of Japan's most spectacular fireworks traditions. This annual event is held in dedication to Asahara Shrine's autumn festival, where fireworks light up the night sky as both celebration and offering.
Known as one of Echigo's three great fireworks festivals, the Katakai Festival is famous for its mountain backdrop and enormous "four-foot" fireworks. These shells are over a meter in diameter, and burst into blooms spanning nearly 800 meters across, making for an awe-inspiring sight that resonates both visually and physically. Katakai is also regarded as the birthplace of three-foot fireworks, and in 1985 it made history with the world's first successful four-foot launch, a record still unmatched in scale and spectacle.
In addition to the evening displays, daytime ceremonies such as the Tamaokuri ritual (where fireworks are dedicated to the shrine) highlight the event's deep roots in Edo-period traditions. Local stories tell of artisans crafting fireworks from homemade gunpowder, establishing a legacy that continues today. Many families dedicate fireworks to mark milestones like weddings, anniversaries, or coming-of-age celebrations, blending personal memories with communal joy.
While the highlight remains the fireworks themselves, the Katakai Festival is also about connection to both history and community.
