The 2023 edition! Let's go see the world's only fireworks display with a 4-foot-tall ball! Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture [Katakai Festival

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The world's largest fireworks display

Katakai Festival (Asahara Shrine Autumn Festival), one of the three major fireworks festivals in Echigo

One of the Echigo Three Great Fireworks, Katakai of Mt.

In Niigata Prefecture, there are "Echigo's three major fireworks": Kashiwazaki (held in July) for the sea, Nagaoka (held in August) for the river, and Katakai (held in September) for the mountains, each with its own unique fireworks display. One of them is the Katakai Festival Fireworks "Asahara Shrine Autumn Festival Dedication Grand Fireworks" held in Ojiya City.
The Katakai Festival, which boasts 400 years of tradition, is held every year on September 9 and 10 in Katakai-cho, Ojiya City, known as the birthplace of the 3-foot tall ball, and features traditional events such as "Tsutsubugi (pulling a tube)" and "Tamaokiri (sending a ball)" and the launch of the world's largest ball, the 4-foot tall ball. The entire town is filled with the excitement of the fireworks festival, including traditional events such as "Tsutsuyaku" and "Tamaokuri" and the launching of the world's largest 4-foot-tall ball.

Fireworks of Katakai Festival are dedicated to Asahara Shrine.

The history of Katakai Fireworks dates back to before the middle of the Edo period, and the spirit of the event has been carried on to the present day with respect for tradition, with people of all ages and both men and women dedicating fireworks to Asahara Shrine with various thoughts and feelings.
Fireworks are dedicated to Asahara Shrine by individuals, companies, local residents, and an increasing number of people from Niigata Prefecture, the Kanto region, Kansai, Tohoku, Kyushu, and other parts of Japan.
The back of the fireworks launching site is a small mountain that forms a folding screen, which reflects the sound of the fireworks and allows the audience to enjoy the dynamic bursts of sound.

The main fireworks are shakudama, and the 4 shakudama is the largest in the world!

The "Tsutsuyuki" and "Tamashimaki" are important traditional events for the safe dedication of the traditional fireworks, and the "Tsutsuyuki" and "Tamashimaki" are the traditional events for the safe dedication of the traditional fireworks.
About 70 to 80% of the fireworks dedicated at Katakai Fireworks are shakudama fireworks, and many fireworks are shot in a row, such as 2-shakudama, 5-shakudama, and 10-shakudama. The world's largest firework, the 4-foot-tall, is shot at 10:00 p.m. on both days, and over the two days, approximately 15,000 fireworks will color the night sky of Katakai.
Starmine (2018)
Three Shaku Balls (2018)
The world's largest ball (2018)
The world's largest ball (2018)

Many handmade "Tamakuri" floats parade through the town!

About 30 groups of ball carriers, including young people, children, class reunions, and volunteers from each town, parade through the town while playing "Shagiri", making it a very lively event!
About 200 stalls are set up around Asahara Shrine, and Katakai's specialties, fireworks display, original products, etc. are sold at Katakai souvenir shops.
The scene of Tamaokiri (old style Tamaokiri) (2018)
Minyo nagashi (2018)
A scene from the festival (2018)
Fireworks drum performance (2018)
For more information about Katakai Festival (Asahara Shrine Autumn Festival)
This article is based on information from 2022.
Please refer to the above "Katakai Town Fireworks Association Official Website" for the latest information on the event in 2023.
For train + accommodation reservations in Niigata area, please visit [ JR East View Dynamic Rail Package ]
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