One of the largest scale events in the prefecture, this fireworks show features stunning firework displays, a hanabi-e-maki performance which combines music and fireworks, and displays from firework masters throughout Japan. Around 10,000 fireworks can be enjoyed during this 1.5 hour event.
| Website | http://www.city.sukagawa.fukushima.jp/(Automated translation available) |
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| Contact | Sukagawa Shakadogawa Fireworks Festival Planning Committee (Sukagawa City Tourism Division) (+81) 248-88-9144 |
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| Parking | Available (Free for up to 3,000 cars at temporary parking around venue) |
| Related info | <b><u>Date:</b></u> August 22, 2020 (7:00 PM - 8:30 PM) <b><u>Paid Seating Available:</b></u> Round tables (Reservation necessary): 1 table (4 seats) 11,000 yen Chair seating (non-reserved): 2,200 yen per seat (2,000 yen in advance) Please note traffic restrictions will be in place around venue starting at 3:00 PM |
| Access | Fireworks launched from riverbed in front of JR Sukagawa Station (Sukagawa Citizens' Sports Plaza) View directions |
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| Getting there | By Car: 5 min drive from the Sukagawa I.C. exit off the Tohoku Expressway By Train: 5 min walk from Sukagawa Station (JR Tohoku Main Line)
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The only Japan Racing Association racecourse in the Tohoku region. Enjoy the excitement of the seasonal races held during Spring, Summer and Winter, as well as the traditional Tanabata Prize in July. The racecourse also has other areas for enjoying yourself, including a children's play area and athletic facilities, making it a great place to come with the family.
There are records of Shirakawa Daruma (Japanese traditional dolls) being sold as far back as the feudal reign of the Niwa Domain in 1627. Current Shirakawa Daruma are known as “Shirakawa Tsurugame Shochikubai Daruma.” The faces of these dolls are painted to incorporate various animals and plants, with the eyebrows representing cranes, the mustache representing a turtle, the ears representing pines and plum trees, and the beard representing bamboo or pine trees. All of these images are thought to bring good luck. The daruma is known to be a very classical, lucky talisman, started by Matsudaira Sadanobu, the lord of Shirakawa, when he hired the renowned painter Tani Buncho to paint the now famous face on the daruma doll. Once every year a large Shirakawa Daruma Market is held to celebrate and sell the beloved daruma dolls. You can paint your own daruma at the two daruma workshops in town!
Kami-Kawasaki Washi paper has a history of over 1,000 years. It was given the name "Kami-Kawasaki Washi" because of its origin in Nihonmatsu City's Kami-Kawasaki district. Since the name of districts changes with the years, during Japan's Heian Period, it was known as "Michinoku-gami "("paper made in Michinoku").Kami-Kawasaki Washi paper has been used regularly as shoji paper (paper for sliding doors). Many people are charmed by the warmth and simple beauty of Kami-Kawasaki Washi. Paper mulberry, a type of tree used for making the paper, is grown locally. The traditional production method, from producing the raw ingredients to making the paper, is continued in Nihonmatsu City even today.Sticking to traditional production methods ensures that the finished paper has a luxuriant warmth and refinement, and is strong and durable. At present, a variety of products, such as dyed paper, folkcraft paper, and paper crafts, are produced, all of which maintain the paper's original texture. Although the demand for shoji paper is declining, there is still demand for products such as wallpaper and lamp shades. In this way, Kami-Kawasaki Washi remains important to us everyday. At the Washi Traditional Crafts Gallery - located at Michi-no-Eki Adachi (Roadside Station) - visitors can make washi postcards, paper fans, and other items.
This souvenir shop sells a large variety of Tsuchiyu Onsen local products, the most well-known - of course - is the Tsuchiyu Kokeshi dolls. Tsuchiyu Kokeshi wooden dolls are known for their peculiar expressions. Matsuya Souvenir Shop even includes a kokeshi workshop, where an artisan creates kokeshi right before your eyes. For a particularly unique experience, you can paint your own Kokeshi Doll!
From late July to late September, a magical world of illumination is created at the Adatara Kogen Ski Area using 2 billion light bulbs. Numerous romantic locations amidst the light display are created through ingenious creativity, such as the "Tunnel of Light" surrounding the ropeway, and the "Blanket of Shining Flowers" found at the mountain summit.
Cosquín en Japón is an Argentinian and Latin American folk music festival held yearly in Kawamata town in central Fukushima Prefecture.People who love Latin American folk culture, including musicians, singers, and enthusiasts, come together to enjoy the music and dance performances at the festival. The event is open to both amateur and professional performers, and, over the years, the number of participating groups has increased from 13 in its first year to more than 100 in 2023.The festival, held since 1975, takes place at the Kawamata Town Central Community Center (川俣町中央公民館に会場) over two or three days. It is organized by Norte Japón (North Japan Latin American Music Federation).The festival name means ‘Cosquín in Japan’ in Spanish, and pays tribute to Argentina's most important National Folklore Festival, held each year in the town of Cosquín in the province of Córdoba.A variety of rhythms and artistic styles from Latin America are represented at the festival. Its main focus is Argentinian and Andean folk music, which is played with instruments such as the quena, charango, acoustic guitar, and bombo.You can attend the festival for free without needing to register beforehand.
The Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival is held yearly on the first Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of October. The 2025 festival was held on Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th and Monday 6th.Check the Nihonmatsu Tourism Association website for route maps of the lantern floats.The highlight of the festival is the procession of festival floats during the first evening. Seven large festival floats adorned with lanterns and filled with locals playing taiko drums make their way through the streets of Nihonmatsu City, filling the streets with festival music as they move. The final destination for the floats is the Nihonmatsu Shrine.The festival traces its roots back to 1643, when Niwa Mitsushige became the lord of the Nihonmatsu clan. Believing that fostering religious piety was a core tenet of strong government, Lord Niwa had Nihonmatsu Shrine built the following year, and opened its gates for anyone in the domain to visit. It’s said that in the first festival, the young people of the town carried a portable shrine (mikoshi) through the streets - in an era where there was a strict class system in place, encouraging widespread religious fervour in this sense was a progressive approach.As a result, historians say the local people came to greatly love and respect their lord, and before long the festival grew into a magnificent spectacle including dancing, huge drumming floats and hanging lanterns. The tradition has continued to this day, where the beautiful illuminated floats rolling through the streets is the backbone of an important yearly event for local people.
Yabusame is a Japanese sport that has both a spiritual and military component. Originally designed as a ritual to please the gods and pray for health and good harvests, the modern version involves taking aim at three targets along a run about 200 metres long.The technique takes an immense amount of body control to guide the horse with the rider's knees, while keeping the upper body still to focus on the target.Furudono Town, in the south of Fukushima Prefecture, hosts tournaments showing off this honoured technique as a way of connecting with Japan’s samurai history and culture. The events have a festival atmosphere with dance performances and food stalls.The October tournament takes place at Furudono’s Hachiman Shrine, with two days of action over the second weekend of the month, while the June tournament is a simpler version held at the end of the month.