Imari Bay Fireworks: Saga’s Giant Autumn Show (2026 Guide)

Saga · Imari · Autumn Fireworks

By Nobu · Updated 20 October 2026

The Imari Bay Fireworks is one of the rare big Japanese fireworks shows held in autumn, not summer — and its headline is a single enormous shell: a 3-shaku (90 cm) firework among the largest in the country, fired out over Imari Bay in Saga. The 2026 show is on Saturday, November 21, from 19:00 (postponed to the 22nd in bad weather), per Imari City. Here’s what makes it worth a November trip, and how to be there.

What makes it special

Two things set this show apart. First, the timing: most of Japan’s great fireworks happen in July and August, so a major display in late November — crisp air, dark early evenings — is unusual and a reason in itself. Second, the scale of the centrepiece. The marquee shell is a 3-shaku (about 90 cm across when it bursts), billed as the largest in northern Kyushu and one of the biggest fired anywhere in the country. There’s also a signature spread of colourful “five-direction” fireworks, and because the whole show is launched from the sea, it opens up across the full width of Imari Bay rather than over a single riverbank.

The event in its current form, branded “Cygames Presents Imari Bay Fireworks” after its title sponsor, has run since 2018; 2025 was the eighth edition. Around 8,000 shells go up over the evening — a figure worth treating as a guide rather than gospel, since the organisers headline the 3-shaku and the sea launch rather than a shell count.

2026 date and viewing areas

Imari City has set the 2026 show for Saturday, November 21, with the first shells at 19:00; in bad weather it moves to Sunday the 22nd. There are two viewing areas, both on Imari Port: Nanatsushima (Nanatsushima South Wharf, by the Namura shipyard) and Kubara (Kubara South Wharf). There is no seating — both are standing areas — and this year Nanatsushima Bridge is not a viewing area. For reference, the 2025 show was on November 22. (Checked 20 October 2026 against Imari City’s event and access pages.)

Getting there & watching

The fireworks go up over Imari Bay at Imari Port. Imari City’s 2026 access page points drivers to the Nanatsushima area and people coming by public transport to the Kubara area, using the Matsuura Railway between Imari and Kubara stations. Imari City had not yet published this year’s visitor parking arrangements or a shuttle when we checked on 20 October, so check its access page in the week before, and arrive well before dark. Dress warm — it’s November by the sea.

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