The 2026 Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival — Shiga Prefecture's largest summer event — is set to light up the skies over Lake Biwa on Thursday, August 6, 2026. Biwako Hotel, located right on the lakefront, is offering a selection of stay and day-trip plans that let guests take in around 10,000 fireworks from prime vantage points. Last year's festival drew approximately 300,000 visitors (according to organizers), making it one of the most anticipated annual events in the region.
Plan Application Overview
Stay Plans (Lottery)
- Biwako Hotel Club member priority lottery: April 1 (Wed) 12:00 PM – April 7 (Tue) (Winners announced: April 10 (Fri))
- General lottery: April 12 (Sun) 3:00 PM – April 19 (Sun) (Winners announced: April 24 (Fri))
Day-Trip Plans (First-Come, First-Served)
- Biwako Hotel Club member priority sales: April 1 (Wed) 12:00 PM – April 7 (Tue)
- General sales: April 12 (Sun) 3:00 PM onwards (Plans close once fully booked)
For full details, visit the official plan page.
Stay Plans (Lottery)
Staying at this lakeside hotel means nothing stands between guests and the fireworks display. All guest rooms face the lake, offering a private view of the fireworks bursting over the water and reflected in the lake surface.
- Room types: Premium/Luxury Floor "Vista" & "Aqua", Deluxe Floor "Lumina", Superior Floor "Natura"
- Inclusions: 1 night with dinner and breakfast (dinner: buffet at a special venue)
- Price: From ¥130,000 per adult for a double room
Prices and capacity vary by room type. Please check the official website for details.
Day-Trip Plans (First-Come, First-Served)
A range of day-trip plans are available, combining fireworks viewing with dining. Whether guests prefer to dine while watching the fireworks or enjoy a meal afterward, there are options to suit different preferences.
Rooftop Special Viewing — Pair Counter Seat Plan
Fireworks viewing and dining from a dedicated counter seat on the hotel rooftop.
- Food: Special hors d'oeuvres with free-flow drinks (both during dinner and viewing)
- Rooftop hours: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Price: ¥120,000 per pair (2 guests)
Rooftop Viewing × "Teppanyaki Oomi" Plan
Fireworks viewing from the hotel rooftop, followed by a teppanyaki course at the in-house restaurant "Teppanyaki Oomi."
- Food: Teppanyaki course with free-flow drinks during viewing
- Dining time: 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM (after the fireworks)
- Price: ¥53,000 per person
Front Row Guaranteed — Boardwalk Viewing × Bento Plan
Guaranteed front-row seats on the boardwalk right beside the lake, with a bento box meal included.
- Food: Bento box at the viewing seat (1 drink included)
- Entry: From 5:00 PM (entry as soon as available)
- Price: Adults ¥25,000 / Children (age 5 to elementary school) ¥19,000 / Toddlers (age 4 and under, seat only) ¥17,000
Additional day-trip plans featuring rooftop BOX seats and dining at Italian restaurant "Bellago" are also available. See the official website for the full lineup.
Biwako Hotel Club — Priority Access to Plans
The Biwako Hotel Club is a free membership program that can be registered via smartphone. Members gain priority access to apply for both stay and day-trip fireworks plans before general sales open.
- Registration: https://www.keihanhotels-resorts.co.jp/biwakohotel/club/
2026 Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival Overview
- Event name: 2026 Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival
- Date and time: Thursday, August 6, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Cancelled in case of bad weather; no postponement)
- Location: Offshore surface of Prefectural Otsu Port, Hamaotsu, Otsu City
- Scale: Approximately 10,000 fireworks
For more details about the fireworks event: https://www.biwako-visitors.jp/hanabi/
Prices for stay plans include consumption tax, 15% service charge, and hot spring tax. Prices for day-trip plans include consumption tax and 15% service charge. All photos are for illustrative purposes.
