KASHIHARA SKY PALETTE, an event marking the 70th anniversary of Kashihara City's founding, will be held on Sunday, November 22, 2026, in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture. Here is the full program for the day and the latest highlights from the venue.
Kashihara was home to Fujiwara-kyo, Japan's first full-scale capital laid out on a grid system, and it is where the country name "Japan" (日本国) and the ritsuryo legal system took shape. The city's group of ruins from that long history is registered as the World Heritage site "Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara" (飛鳥・藤原の宮都).
The event is split into a daytime program and an evening program. The daytime program includes live performances by the popular comedy duo ロッチ and singer-songwriter Natsuki Kawanishi (かわにしなつき). A food and merchandise area open all day will feature local Nara and Kashihara food, along with local companies selling products recommended in celebration of the World Heritage registration. In the evening, "Manyo Hanabi supported by Anker" (万葉花火) will be held with Junki Kono (JO1) as its ambassador.
Highlights
1. Daytime Program: Guest Stages and Experience Areas for All Ages
The daytime stage lineup includes:
- A wind band performance and calligraphy performance by Unebi High School (畝傍高校), a local school
- A wind band performance by Kashihara High School (橿原高校)
- A music live by singer-songwriter Natsuki Kawanishi (かわにしなつき)
- A live show by the comedy duo ロッチ
- A talk show with the mayor
In the adjacent covered sports ground, hands-on attractions can be enjoyed throughout the day, including a World Heritage PR corner and an esports experience. Lantern photo booths will be set up in several places, and as the sun goes down they will fill the venue with a fantastical atmosphere.
2. Food and Merchandise Area: Local Food Booths and Commemorative Products
About 50 vendors serving local Nara and Kashihara food will gather in the food and merchandise area. Booths run by local companies will also sell "World Heritage recommended products," offering a taste of Kashihara's food and culture.
Anker Japan, the title sponsor of Manyo Hanabi, will open a temporary Anker Store. It will sell fully charged mobile batteries that are ready to use on the spot, so visitors do not need to worry about their battery level from the wait before the show until they head home.
3. Evening Program: Junki Kono (JO1) Special Live and "Manyo Hanabi supported by Anker"
The evening program runs from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Junki Kono (JO1) will give a special live performance exclusive to this fireworks festival, and numerous fireworks will also light up the night sky. The finale of the event is a fireworks show in which music and fireworks perform together.
Viewing the evening program requires a ticket. Seating is limited, so tickets should be purchased in advance.
Tickets: https://sky-palette.hanabifes.com/ticket2026
Access
By train
The venue is about a 10-minute walk from Bojo Station (坊城駅) on the Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line.
To ease congestion and help visitors get around smoothly on the day, Kintetsu (近畿日本鉄道) will run additional trains and make temporary express stops at Bojo Station. The detailed schedule is available on Kintetsu's official website.
Free shuttle bus
Direct shuttle buses to the venue will run from Kintetsu Kashihara-jingu-mae Station (central exit) and Kintetsu Yamato-Yagi Station (south exit).
- Operating hours: 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM (planned)
- Between Kashihara-jingu-mae Station (central exit) and the venue: about every 15 minutes
- Between Yamato-Yagi Station (south exit) and the venue: about every 20 minutes
- Fare: free
Notes:
- The shuttle buses can carry a limited number of passengers at a time, so when a bus is full, visitors may be directed to the next one.
- Depending on traffic conditions, it may take extra time to reach the venue or the stations.
- There is no parking for general visitors. Please use public transportation.
KASHIHARA SKY PALETTE
- Date: Sunday, November 22, 2026 (held rain or shine; canceled if a weather warning is in effect at 10:00 AM on the day)
- Venue: Kashihara Undo Koen (橿原運動公園), 323-2 雲梯町, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture
- Food and merchandise area (near the south parking lot): 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Daytime program (special stage and covered sports ground): 11:45 AM to 3:45 PM (doors open at 11:30 AM), with some programs running until 4:00 PM
- Evening program: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Organizer: KASHIHARA SKY PALETTE Executive Committee
- Co-organizer: Kashihara City
- Secretariat: 公益社団法人橿原青年会議所
- Official website: https://sky-palette.hanabifes.com/
- Kashihara City official page: https://www.city.kashihara.nara.jp/soshiki/2777/gyomu/20861.html
