The Ashiya Sand Sculpture Exhibition 2026 will be held for 17 days, from October 23 (Fri) to November 8 (Sun), 2026, at a special venue inside the Ashiya Kaihin Park Leisure Pool Aquasian (芦屋海浜公園レジャープールアクアシアン) in Ashiya, Onga District, Fukuoka. It is organized by the Ashiya Sand Sculpture Exhibition Executive Committee, whose member organizations include the Ashiya Town Tourism Association.
About 83,000 people visited the exhibition in 2025. This year's theme is "Across Time and Space: A Journey Around the World – The Soccer Kingdom Made of Sand." In addition to the sculptures, the event offers a local food plaza, nighttime lighting, a sound and light show, fireworks, and festival stalls that families can enjoy together. Visitors can walk among works created by professional sand sculptors from Japan and abroad, as if traveling around the world.
Ashiya Sand Sculpture Exhibition
Three Highlights of the Ashiya Sand Sculpture Exhibition 2026
1. Travel the World Through Sand Sculptures on a "Soccer Kingdom" Theme
This year marks the 11th Ashiya Sand Sculpture Exhibition. Timed to coincide with the FIFA World Cup 2026, professional sand sculptors invited from Japan and abroad will create sculptures inspired by a journey through soccer powerhouse nations.
Visitors can walk through the sculptures while wondering with their children, "What kind of place is this country?" or "What is this building?" The sculptures depict landscapes and cultures from around the world, along with stories related to soccer.
2. Two Looks, Day and Night: The Daily "Sound and Light Show"
After sunset, the exhibition takes on a different atmosphere from the daytime. The venue's lighting starts around 6:00 PM every day. On weekdays (except October 23), a "Sound and Light Show" is held at 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM, with the illuminated sculptures standing out in the dark.
On October 23 (Fri) and on weekends and national holidays, fireworks also go up along with the 8:00 PM "Sound and Light Show."
Re-entry is allowed on the same day, so visitors can see the sculptures in the daytime, go sightseeing or have a meal in Ashiya, and return to the venue in the evening for the lit-up sculptures, the show, and the fireworks.
3. Food, Games, and Family Activities, Including Venue-Only Events
The local food plaza "Umaiccha Plaza" (うまいっちゃ広場) is open every day inside the venue, with a variety of menu items mainly from restaurants in Ashiya.
On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, venue-only events are also held, with different events each week. They include festival stalls and games, a soap bubble show, concerts, a Halloween costume event, a sand sculpture-making contest, public sand sculpture-making, and vegetable sales.
Beyond viewing the sculptures, visitors can eat, play, and take part in activities at the venue.
Special Opening Day Show on October 23 and a Photo Contest
On opening day, October 23 (Fri) only, a drone show and fireworks will be held. On weekends, a new project called "Minna de Tsukuru Sekai Chizu" (World Map We Make Together) by Kyushu Women's University will also take place.
A photo contest for the Ashiya Sand Sculpture Exhibition 2026 will also be held during the event. Visitors are invited to capture favorite moments from the venue, such as sculptures against a blue sky or sunset, the nighttime lighting, or children enjoying the sculptures, and enter them. Choosing which sculpture to pose with, or which country to photograph at which time of day, is also part of the fun of the exhibition.
The detailed event schedule and photo contest information are available on the official website.
Ashiya Sand Sculpture Exhibition official website
Ashiya Sand Sculpture Exhibition Instagram
Ashiya Sand Sculpture Exhibition Facebook
Comment From a Person Involved
From an interview with Tetsutaro Kajiwara (梶原鉄太郎), president of the Ashiya branch of the Japan Sand Sculpture Federation (日本砂像連盟)
"Sand sculptures are made with only sand and water. We pack the sand firmly and carve it little by little from the top to bring out the shape, so the first cuts are very important. Deciding where and how much to carve determines the balance of the whole piece. Ashiya's sand is fine-grained and easy to carve in detail.
I first got involved with sand sculptures about 20 years ago through PTA activities, and I have been making them ever since. Large works take anywhere from several days to several weeks to complete. When you look at a finished sculpture, please also pay attention to the accumulated handwork behind it. It may change how the work looks to you.
The Ashiya Sand Sculpture Exhibition involves not only professional sculptors from Japan and abroad, but also many other people, including the Japan Sand Sculpture Federation, students, and local organizations, in both creating the works and running the event. I hope we can pass the appeal of sand sculpture on to the next generation."
Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Ashiya Sand Sculpture Exhibition 2026: Across Time and Space – A Journey Around the World – The Soccer Kingdom Made of Sand |
| Venue | Special venue inside Ashiya Kaihin Park Leisure Pool Aquasian (1455-284 Oaza Ashiya, Ashiya Town, Onga District, Fukuoka) |
| Dates and hours | October 23 (Fri) to November 8 (Sun), 2026, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (last admission 8:30 PM) |
| Same-day tickets | Adults ¥800, ages 65 and over ¥700, people with disabilities ¥600, elementary and junior high school students ¥400 |
| Advance tickets | Adults ¥600, people with disabilities ¥400, elementary and junior high school students ¥300 |
| Preschool children | Free |
| Advance ticket sales | Online: Lawson Ticket (L-code 83611), Seven Ticket (Seven Code 116-823), and eplus. In person: Ashiya Town Tourism Association, Ashiya Town Hall Industry and Tourism Division, Marine Terrace Ashiya (マリンテラスあしや), and Fukushima Sports (福島スポーツ). Advance tickets are on sale until October 22. |
| Access | Take the JR Kagoshima Main Line to Ongagawa Station, then take the Ashiya Town Bus bound for Kaihin Koen (Seaside Park) and get off at Ashiya Kaihin Koen Iriguchi. The venue is a 5-minute walk from the bus stop. |
| Parking | Free parking available |
| Other | Pets are not allowed to enter (except assistance dogs) |
For the latest information and details, check the official website and social media linked above.
