After meeting your tour conductor, you will begin your journey aboard the Joetsu Shinkansen Toki, traveling in Green Car seating for a more spacious and comfortable ride. Departures are scheduled between 11 AM and 1:20 PM, allowing for a relaxed start to the day. As the train speeds north, cityscapes gradually give way to mountainous scenery, signaling your approach to Niigata’s countryside. Depending on peak‑season operating conditions, the exact departure and arrival stations (Tokyo or Ueno) will be confirmed in your final tour documents. Upon arrival, you transfer to a chartered bus to continue toward the evening’s highlight. Important: Final train details, including the exact meeting time and train number, will be confirmed one week before departure and sent via Viator chat. Please be sure to check your messages. Lunch is not included. Depending on your train schedule, we recommend eating before meeting the group or preparing food in advance to enjoy on board the Shinkansen.

From Echigo‑Yuzawa, the journey continues to Nagaoka by chartered bus, with guaranteed two seats per person, arriving in approximately 70 minutes. Before the fireworks begin, you will enjoy an early dinner (from around 4PM) at Shinki-ya, a long‑established Japanese restaurant that has served generations of locals. Dining ahead of the event allows you to relax and enjoy your meal without rushing—an invaluable advantage on one of Japan’s busiest festival nights. The cuisine reflects traditional techniques and seasonal ingredients, served in a calm, refined setting that offers a moment of quiet before the excitement of the fireworks. After dinner, it is a short approximately 20‑minute transfer to the fireworks venue.

Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks

You will experience the iconic Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan’s most emotionally powerful summer events, from reserved chair‑and‑table seating on the left bank of the Shinano River. This setup features pipe chairs with tables arranged along the riverbank behind the chair seating area, allowing you to relax comfortably throughout the entire program. Nagaoka’s fireworks are renowned for their immense scale, artistic composition, and storytelling that honors remembrance and recovery. Massive bursts fill the sky in carefully choreographed sequences, culminating in a breathtaking finale that leaves a lasting impression. The fireworks proceed even in light rain, though severe weather may lead to cancellation at the organizers’ discretion. Due to traffic regulations around the venue, heavy congestion is expected after the show—this is an unavoidable part of attending such a nationally significant festival.

After departing Nagaoka, the journey continues by bus to Minami‑Uonuma, with a travel time of approximately 90 minutes. Due to post‑festival traffic congestion and road controls, arrival at the hotel is expected after midnight. You will stay overnight at Auberge Mizuakari, allowing you to rest properly instead of continuing long‑distance travel late at night. Nestled in the tranquil natural surroundings of Minami‑Uonuma, the auberge offers an elegant and intimate retreat that provides a calming contrast to the excitement of the fireworks. The refined design and serene atmosphere make it an ideal place to unwind after a long yet unforgettable evening. Accommodation is in Western‑style twin rooms, each equipped with a private bath and toilet.

After a relaxed morning at the auberge, depart Minami‑Uonuma and travel about 20 minutes to enjoy a Western‑style lunch in the Minami‑Uonuma or Uonuma area. This meal offers a gentle transition into the day, with carefully prepared dishes served in a calm setting surrounded by Niigata’s countryside. It is a chance to recharge after the previous night’s festivities and enjoy the slower rhythm of rural Japan before continuing sightseeing.

The journey continues by bus for approximately 80 minutes to Kichijoji Temple. Known locally as a “flower temple,” this historic Buddhist site is admired for its beautifully maintained grounds and seasonal blooms that change throughout the year. Walking through the temple grounds, you will find ponds, streams, and carefully maintained gardens that create a peaceful atmosphere and invite quiet reflection.

After visiting the temple, travel by bus for about 90 minutes to Takasaki Station, where your journey returns to high‑speed rail. Board the Joetsu Shinkansen Toki in Green Car seating for a comfortable ride back toward the Tokyo area. You may choose to disembark at Omiya, or continue onward to Tokyo or Ueno. Arrival back in the Tokyo area is scheduled between 5:40 PM and 8 PM, depending on the arrangement. During peak travel periods, temporary Shinkansen services may operate, and the final departure and arrival stations (Tokyo or Ueno) will be confirmed in your final tour documents.