Joso Shin Hanabi 2026 X'mas Brings Over 10,000 Winter Fireworks to Joso, Ibaraki on December 12

Joso Shin Hanabi 2026 X'mas – National Young Pyrotechnicians Championship (常総新花火2026 X’mas ～全国若手花火師選手権～) will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2026, near the Kinugawa Embankment Breach Monument (鬼怒川堤防決壊の碑) in the 三坂町 area of Joso, Ibaraki. The event is organized by the Joso Shin Hanabi Executive Committee (常総新花火実行委員会), with the Joso Junior Chamber (一般社団法人常総青年会議所) serving as its secretariat.

More than 10,000 fireworks will be launched, and young pyrotechnicians selected from across Japan will compete in the creative starmine and 10-go shell (10号玉) categories. The program also includes a wide display with a maximum spread of over 700 m, a segment that launches "Dream Fireworks" (夢の花火) based on pictures of fireworks drawn by local elementary and junior high school students, and a food area for enjoying the Christmas season.

The event aims not only to let people enjoy fireworks but also to pass on gratitude for the area's recovery and hope for the future to the next generation. It is a winter fireworks festival unique to Joso, created through the combined efforts of local volunteers.

What Is Joso Shin Hanabi? Gratitude for Flood Recovery, Hope for the Future

In September 2015, the Kinugawa embankment broke during the Kanto-Tohoku Heavy Rain, and Joso suffered severe flood damage.

Local volunteers and Junior Chamber members led the creation of Joso Shin Hanabi in 2022, out of a wish to remember their gratitude to the many people who supported the recovery, to keep the memory of the disaster from fading, and to bring hope to the children who will shape the future.

The venue is near the Kinugawa Embankment Breach Monument, where memories of the flood remain. From this place, fireworks will once again be launched into the night sky. Through fireworks, the event's mission is to bring courage and energy to residents, deepen community bonds, and pass hope on to the next generation.

Highlight 1: A Competition Among Young Pyrotechnicians Selected from Across Japan

The main attraction is the performance of young pyrotechnicians who have built track records at fireworks competitions around Japan.

Each pyrotechnician competes in skill and creativity in the creative starmine category and the 10-go shell category. In the creative starmine category, displays that combine music and fireworks, and the individual expression of each pyrotechnician, are worth watching. In the 10-go shell category, large blossoms of fireworks spread across the night sky.

The participating fireworks companies, all well-known names in the fireworks industry, are as follows.

• 山﨑煙火製造所 (Ibaraki)
• 野村花火工業 (Ibaraki)
• 丸玉屋小勝煙火店 (Tokyo)
• 磯谷煙火店 (Aichi)
• 華松煙火 (Nagano)
• アルプス煙火工業 (Nagano)
• 伊那火工堀内煙火店 (Nagano)
• 小松煙火工業 (Akita)

Among them, 小松煙火工業 won the Prime Minister's Award at this year's Omagari Fireworks (大曲の花火).

The competition brings together the passion and skill of the pyrotechnicians. Spectators can also vote as judges, which lets them feel the appeal of fireworks more deeply.

In addition, the previous champion, 北日本花火興業 (Akita), will present an all-out wide starmine in a special program. マルゴー (Yamanashi) will handle the project that launches the Dream Fireworks drawn by elementary and junior high school students.

Highlight 2: About 10,000 or More Fireworks, Up to 10-go Shells

About 10,000 or more fireworks will be launched at Joso Shin Hanabi.

In addition to the powerful 10-go shells, a special program featuring a wide music starmine with a spread of over 700 m is one of the highlights. Fireworks and music fill the entire field of view and light up the clear winter night sky. Winter air is clear, and the light of fireworks looks beautiful. It offers a viewing experience different from summer fireworks festivals.

For this event, special viewing seats designed for winter have also been added, including the Super VIP Area (超VIPエリア) with a tent, heating, and meals (¥150,000 for 6 people, with 2 parking spaces) and the Christmas Date Seat (クリスマスデートシート) (¥30,000 for 2 people, with reclining seats and 1 parking space).

Highlight 3: Recreating Fireworks Pictures Drawn by Local Elementary and Junior High School Students

This project, rare even nationwide, turns pictures drawn by elementary and junior high school students on the theme of "dream fireworks" into real fireworks and launches them. It is the new project the organizing committee recommends most, in the hope that local children will come to love their hometown.

Highlight 4: JOSOXmas Market for the Christmas Season

In addition to fireworks, a food area where restaurants gather, the JOSOXmas Market, is planned at the venue.

It is designed so that visitors can enjoy the time before the launch as well, through meals and conversation. It is a good fit for a winter outing with a loved one or for making memories with family.

Seating options for relaxed viewing of the fireworks are also available, so visitors can choose according to their viewing style. Admission to the Xmas Market is free, but all fireworks viewing seats are paid seats.

Event Details

Tickets

All seats are paid. A wide range of seat types is available, including chair seats, pair seats, date seats, masu (box) seats, garden table seats, the VIP Area, the Slope Excite Area (斜面エキサイトエリア), and the Slope Relaxed B Area (斜面ゆったりBエリア). Seats for photographers are also sold.

Junior high school students and younger can enter the Slope Relaxed B Area for free only when accompanied by a guardian (the guardian needs a paid ticket).

Joso Shin Hanabi flyer (front)

Joso Shin Hanabi flyer (back)

In case of bad weather, the event is scheduled to be postponed to the following day. Check the official website for the latest information.