Kanmon Strait Fireworks Festival 2026 Confirmed

関門海峡花火大会 — Kitakyushu, Fukuoka (Kyushu)

The Kanmon Strait Fireworks Festival is a friendly artillery duel between two prefectures: Moji (Kyushu) and Shimonoseki (Honshu) fire a combined 18,000 shells at each other across the strait on August 13, with ships passing between and a combined crowd of around a million on the two shores. Recent editions add 800-drone shows to the mix — western Japan's biggest fireworks night.

Background

Started in 1985 as a joint revival project by citizens' groups on both shores, the two-city format — separate committees, one synchronized show — remains unique among Japan's major festivals.

Getting there

The Moji side centers on Mojiko Retro's waterfront (2 minutes from JR Mojiko Station), the Shimonoseki side on the Aruka Port area (bus or 15-minute walk from JR Shimonoseki Station). The stations sit 6 minutes apart by train through the undersea tunnel.

Tips

• Pick your shore: Moji offers the retro-architecture backdrop and better station access; Shimonoseki generally has more paid-seat capacity facing the biggest launches.
• August 13 is fixed in Obon week — trains on both sides run packed; Kokura (8 minutes from Mojiko) has the deep hotel supply.
• Shells up to 15,000 fire from each side; midpoint spots (Mekari Park heights) see both programs at once if you're willing to hike.
• The strait's shipping lane stays open during the show — freighters passing under the bursts are part of the spectacle.

Last verified against the official source: Sat, July 4, 2026