Kamakura Fireworks Festival 2026
Last updated: July 12, 2026. All facts below are compiled from official festival, city and tourism association websites (linked at the end of this page).
The Kamakura Fireworks Festival began in 1948 and has been a beloved summer tradition of this ancient coastal city ever since; the 2026 edition on July 10 is the 78th festival.
Key Facts
| Date | July 10, 2026 (Fri) — Officially confirmed |
|---|---|
| Time | 19:20-20:10 |
| Venue | Yuigahama Beach and Zaimokuza Beach, Kamakura coast |
| Nearest station | Kamakura Station (JR Yokosuka Line / Enoden Line) |
| Fireworks | 2,500 |
| Admission | Free (paid reserved seats also sold) |
| Official site | https://www.trip-kamakura.com/subsite/detail.php?id=9 |
Highlights
- About 2,500 fireworks launched over roughly 50 minutes (19:20-20:10) from the sea off Yuigahama and Zaimokuza beaches.
- The signature underwater fireworks (suichu hanabi): shells are dropped into the sea from boats offshore and bloom as glowing half-circles fanning out across the water's surface, a technique that requires pyrotechnicians to read the waves and tidal currents.
- Large-caliber shells and rapid-fire starmine sequences reflected over Sagami Bay, framed by Kamakura's coastline.
- A compact, historic seaside festival - smaller in shell count than Japan's mega-displays but prized for its intimacy and setting.
Where to Watch
Yuigahama Beach (free sand area) (Free)
The main viewing beach, directly facing the launch area, so the underwater fireworks fan out over the water right in front of you. It is the most crowded spot, so arrive by late afternoon (around 16:00-17:00) to claim a place on the sand.
About 5 minutes on foot from Yuigahama Station on the Enoden line, or a 15-20 minute walk from JR Kamakura Station
Where to Watch
Zaimokuza Beach (Free)
The eastern half of the venue, offering essentially the same front-row view of the offshore and underwater fireworks with somewhat thinner crowds than Yuigahama. Arriving by early evening still usually secures a decent spot.
About 15-20 minutes on foot from JR Kamakura Station (East Exit), or a short bus ride toward Zaimokuza; Enoden Wadazuka Station is also within walking distance of the beach's western end
Where to Watch
Paid reserved chair seats (Yuigahama, south side) (Paid seating)
For 2026, 650 reserved chair seats were set up on the southern side of Yuigahama Beach, giving a guaranteed unobstructed seated view without needing to arrive hours early; ticket holders also received a festival program and a commemorative fan. Note: these seats sold out in late June 2026.
About 5 minutes on foot from Yuigahama Station on the Enoden line
Where to Watch
Amandan Blue Kamakura dinner seats (Paid seating)
A beachside wedding/restaurant venue at Yuigahama sold a limited number of indoor second-floor viewing seats with a buffet and all-you-can-drink plan (JPY 20,000 per person), a comfortable option if you want to avoid the sand and crowds. Limited availability was still listed in late June 2026.
On the Yuigahama beachfront, a few minutes' walk from Enoden Yuigahama Station
Where to Watch
Inamuragasaki area (distant view) (Free)
The cape park west of the venue gives a more distant, panoramic view of the fireworks over Sagami Bay with lighter crowds; you lose the close-up impact of the underwater fireworks but gain breathing room. Arrive around sunset for a good position.
A few minutes on foot from Inamuragasaki Station on the Enoden line
How to Buy Tickets
For 2026, paid reserved seats (JPY 14,000 per chair, all reserved, plus a JPY 385 system fee per ticket) went on sale via the TicketPay website on 2026-06-06 at 10:00, with phone orders also accepted; payment was by credit card or PayPay, with paper tickets picked up at FamilyMart or 7-Eleven. The reserved seats were announced as sold out as of 2026-06-24, so only the separate Amandan Blue restaurant dinner seats (JPY 20,000 with buffet and free drinks) remained in limited numbers. TicketPay operates in Japanese only, so non-Japanese speakers may need help from a Japanese-speaking friend or translation tools; no cancellations or refunds are allowed after purchase.
- Platforms: TicketPay (www.ticketpay.jp), TicketPay phone desk (050-3649-7960), Amandan Blue Kamakura restaurant reservation site (dinner seats)
- Price range: JPY 14,000 per reserved chair seat (plus JPY 385 fee); JPY 20,000 per person for the Amandan Blue dinner viewing plan
- Sales start: 2026-06-06
- English purchase: Japanese only (consider a proxy service or asking your hotel)
Getting There
From Tokyo Station, take the JR Yokosuka Line direct to Kamakura Station (about 1 hour). From Kamakura Station, either walk 15-20 minutes south to Yuigahama or Zaimokuza beaches, or ride the Enoden line one to two stops to Wadazuka or Yuigahama Station (about 5 minutes' walk to the sand). Driving is strongly discouraged: the city asks visitors not to come by car, and traffic restrictions apply around the venue on the day.
Crowd & Timing Tips
- Roughly 160,000 people attended in 2024, so arrive by late afternoon (16:00-17:00) if you want a good spot on the sand at Yuigahama; Zaimokuza fills a little more slowly.
- After the 20:10 finish, the tiny Enoden line and Kamakura Station become extremely congested; either linger on the beach for 30-60 minutes before heading back, or walk the whole way to JR Kamakura Station instead of queuing for the Enoden.
- Consider watching from Zaimokuza Beach or the Inamuragasaki area for thinner crowds, and note that drinking alcohol on the beaches is banned under local ordinance and there are no smoking areas.
- Take all trash home with you, and check the official site on the day itself, since a final go/no-go decision can be made due to weather or wave conditions.
Weather Policy
There is no rain date: the festival is simply canceled (not postponed) in the event of stormy weather or high waves, with the final decision announced on the official website on the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do the fireworks start in 2026?
The 78th Kamakura Fireworks Festival is on Friday, July 10, 2026, from 19:20 to 20:10 - about 50 minutes of fireworks over the sea off Yuigahama and Zaimokuza beaches.
Is it free to watch?
Yes. The sand at Yuigahama and Zaimokuza beaches is free and open to everyone; only the small reserved-seat area on the south side of Yuigahama and the Amandan Blue restaurant plan require tickets.
Where is the best place to watch?
Yuigahama Beach offers the closest, most central view of the underwater fireworks; Zaimokuza Beach has nearly the same view with slightly smaller crowds, and Inamuragasaki gives a more distant panoramic view with more space.
How do I buy tickets for paid seats?
For 2026, reserved chair seats (JPY 14,000) were sold from June 6 through the Japanese-language TicketPay site and by phone, but they sold out by June 24; only limited Amandan Blue restaurant dinner seats (JPY 20,000 with buffet and drinks) remained. There is no English-language purchase route, so plan for free beach viewing or get help from a Japanese speaker.
What happens if it rains?
The festival is canceled outright in bad weather or high waves - there is no backup date - so check the Kamakura City Tourist Association website on the day for the final decision.
How many fireworks are there? Is it worth it for a smaller show?
About 2,500 shells, which is modest by Japanese standards, but the festival is famous nationwide for its underwater fireworks that bloom in half-circles on the sea surface - an effect few other festivals offer at such close range.
See more fireworks in the area: Kanagawa Fireworks Festivals 2026 · Japan Fireworks Calendar 2026