Japanese neighborhoods have a long tradition of holding festivals ('Matsuri') in the Summer months. These usually involve lots of food stalls and arcade games for kids, a parade of dancers or stage dancing, and the bigger festivals include a fireworks show. Below are some of the most popular festivals happening.
The biggest of all the festivals held at Atsuta Shrine, this festival is a combination of Shrine rites, Fireworks, a parade of Mikoshi (portable shrines), and various martial displays.
A few minute walk from JINGUMAE Station
NAGOYA PORT FESTIVAL - July 15
The Nagoya Port Festival includes a fantastic one hour display of pyrotechnics over the bay from 7:30pm. There is also the regular fill of food stalls, games and many sea related functions.
A few minute walk from NAGOYA-KO Station
NAKAMURA KOEN FESTIVAL - July 26
Not as big as some of the more well known festivals, but that means there are less crowds, and this is a good thing. Besides the 30 min fireworks show from 8pm, there is also food stalls and game booths
A few minute walk from NAKAMURA-KOEN Station
Cosplayers from all over the world gather as their favorite anime and cartoon characters for an for an orgy of freakiness. It's all in fun and many participants love to have their photos taken - but ask!
At Oasis 21 near SAKAE station, and OSU-KANNON station
OSU SUMMER FESTIVAL - Aug 3 & 4
The Osu Festival is a great celebration and fun times are to be had. There festival includes a parade, taiko drum performances, bon dancing and hand held firework shows at Osu Temple
A short walk from OSU-KANNON station, exit 3
A menagerie of bon dancing, mikoshi parades, food stalls and game booths, the Nagoya Castle Summer Festival is a great time under the lights of the castle. Entry fee of ¥500.
A short walk from SHIYAKUSHO station
A giant fireworks show shot over Mihama beach about an hour from Nagoya with over 18,000 of the newest types of fireworks set to music and light shows. Part of the full weekend 'Mihama Kaiyusai Marunatsu Festival'
A 30 min walk from NOMA station
UTSUMI BEACH - Aug 17
Being across the bay, it's a bit of a hike to Utsumi, but the fireworks show makes it well worth it, and the beach is great. Fireworks can also be seen this side of the bay from Minato station.
A short walk from UTSUMI Station
GAMAGORI FESTIVAL - July 27 and 28
A weekend long festival, the giant fireworks show held on the Sunday evening is billed as the largest on the Pacific side of Japan. Of the 4000 fireworks shot into the sky are 'wheel' bursts that stretch across the sky.
An hour train ride south to GAMAGORI Station
NAGARAGAWA FESTIVAL - July 27
Among the best fireworks show in the Nagoya area (it's about an hour ride to Gifu station). Over 40,000 fireworks are shot into the sky over the Nagaragawa river.
Special buses can be taken from JR GIFU station
FUJIOKA OIDEN SUMMER FESTIVAL - July 13
A lively festival that has all the regular festival features and a show of several thousands giant fireworks in the sky.
From TOYOHASHI Station take the bus to Fujioka Shisho stop
ASUKE SUMMER FESTIVAL - Aug 13 and 14
This includes a lantern festival along the famous Asukegawa river both nights, and fireworks in the town of Asuke on the 14th.
From Toyotashi Station take the Meitetsu bus to Korankei stop
