Wakayama Port Summer Night Upgrade! The 74th Wakayama Port Festival Fireworks Display will feature a 500-drone show for the first time.

For those who want to see fireworks in the Kansai region during the summer and avoid the most crowded venues in the city centers of Osaka and Kyoto, consider the event on July 25, 2026:The 74th Wakayama Port Festival Fireworks DisplayOn the shortlist. This year's venue is the 10,000-ton berth at Wakayama Port Nakatsu Wharf. In addition to approximately 3,000 fireworks, 500 drones will be used for a light show for the first time, extending the night sky at the port from traditional fireworks to a more layered light and shadow performance.

For Taiwanese travelers, Wakayama Port's appeal lies in the fact that it's not like a big city fireworks display where you only see it from afar amidst a crowd. The event starts at 5:00 PM, with food stalls, festival booths, and a stroll along the harbor to warm things up. Around 8:05 PM, you can enjoy the drone show, followed by the fireworks around 8:20 PM. If you're planning a self-guided trip to Osaka or Wakayama, this would be a very summery nighttime itinerary.

This year's biggest highlight: 500 drones and 3,000 fireworks in the same show

This year's drone show is expected to use 500 drones equipped with LEDs to depict animations and text in the night sky, accompanied by background music. The highlight of the drones is not explosive sound, but quiet, precise, and visually impressive light and shadow changes, which are also more friendly to children, the elderly, or those not accustomed to loud fireworks.

The fireworks will maintain the traditional atmosphere of the port festival for many years to come, with approximately 3,000 fireworks launching into the night sky over the harbor. The detailed graphics of the drones will be combined with the dynamic bursts of fireworks, creating a more varied visual experience than fireworks alone. Those who wish to take photos are advised to find an open spot facing the harbor in advance. For smartphone videos, it is recommended to lower the exposure beforehand to avoid the entire screen from being overexposed when the fireworks are brightly lit.

Stalls and festivals are great for arriving early to browse leisurely.

Another fun part of the Wakayama Port Festival is the street stalls. Around the venue, you can expect classic summer festival treats like takoyaki, yakisoba, and shaved ice, as well as variations like cheese hot dogs and Taiwanese-style desserts. Booths for shooting games and other festival games will also help pass the time while you wait for the fireworks.

We recommend arriving between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM to first enjoy some street food and browse the stalls before heading to the viewing area. If you wait until right before the drone show, you might encounter crowds for both food and viewing, which could be challenging for first-time visitors to Wakayama Port.

M!LK collaboration project is at Wakayama Castle, not at the fireworks venue.

This year, we also have a collaboration project with the popular dance and vocal group M!LK. A paid mini festival game, "ring toss," will be held at Wakayama Castle Sunamaru Plaza, where participants can win original prizes. Additionally, there will be a music collaboration at the fireworks festival venue, and a related decoration project at Nankai Wakayamashi Station.

Please note that the mini festival venue is at the Sunamonmaru Plaza of Wakayama Castle, not Wakayama Port. The members themselves are not scheduled to be present. If you wish to visit both Wakayama Castle and the fireworks venue on the same day, you can go to the Wakayama Castle area during the day and then move to Wakayama Port in the evening. This will be a more natural route.

Event Information

Event Name:The 74th Wakayama Port Festival Fireworks Display

Date:July 25, 2026 (Saturday)

Time:17:00 to 21:00. The drone show is expected to start around 20:05, and the fireworks are expected to start around 20:20.

Venue:Wakayama Port, Naka Pier, 10,000-ton berth

Traffic:Approximately a 10-minute walk from Nankai Railway Wakayamakō Station.

Content:Approximately 15 minutes of drone show, plus approximately 30 minutes of fireworks.

Official Website:Wakayama Port Festival Fireworks Display Official Website

Attention:The event was canceled due to bad weather and was not postponed.

Consultation:和歌山市觀光課，電話073-435-1234，信箱kanko@city.wakayama.lg.jp

How should I arrange my Kansai itinerary?

If departing from Osaka, it is recommended to head to Wakayama early in the afternoon to avoid evening rush hour and crowds from the event. For accommodation, staying within Wakayama City would be the most convenient. If returning to Osaka on the same day, please confirm the last train and transfer times in advance, and avoid scheduling dinner or shopping after the fireworks display ends.

The venue is a harborside space. The sea breeze at night might be cooler than in the city center, but it will still be muggy during the day in July. We recommend bringing water, a foldable fan, or cooling towels, and choosing comfortable walking shoes. If the weather is unstable, as the event will not be postponed, be sure to check the day's announcement before departing. If you are coming all the way from Osaka, you could also consider having dinner in Wakayama city center or a walk around Wakayama Castle as a backup plan.

When attending with children, drone shows are quieter than fireworks and are a good way to help children get accustomed to the atmosphere. However, the sound will still get loud once the fireworks begin, so children who are sensitive to noise can prepare earplugs or stand a little further away. On the way back, crowds will gather and move towards the station. After the event, it's a good idea to wait 10 to 15 minutes before leaving; it will be more comfortable than immediately joining the crowd.

This event is perfect for those who want to see a summer festival in Kansai but also want to add a touch of fresh, technological performance. Spend the day exploring Wakayama Castle or the city, and in the evening, head to the harbor to watch the drone and fireworks show. The pace of this itinerary is more relaxed than trying to squeeze into popular fireworks festivals in big cities, and you can also take the opportunity to experience the local atmosphere of a Wakayama summer night.