Summer in Hokkaido is one of the best seasons for a road trip. Besides pleasant weather and stunning scenery, visitors can enjoy spectacular fireworks festivals held across the island.

If you're planning a Hokkaido summer road trip, these five fireworks events are among the most popular in 2026. Renting a car allows you to travel comfortably between cities, explore nearby attractions, and avoid crowded public transportation after the shows.

Tokachi Fireworks Festival (Kachimai Fireworks Festival)

📍 Tokachi River Riverside, Obihiro

Date: August 13, 2026 (Thursday)

The Tokachi Fireworks Festival is widely recognized as the largest fireworks event in Hokkaido. Organized by The Tokachi Mainichi Newspaper, this annual celebration features approximately 20,000 fireworks in a breathtaking 90-minute performance.

What makes this festival unique is its computer-controlled synchronization of fireworks, music, lighting, and special effects, creating a spectacular multimedia show unlike any other in Japan. Set against the vast Tokachi night sky, it's consistently ranked among Japan's best fireworks festivals.

https://www.kachimai-hanabi.com

2. Makomanai Fireworks Festival

📍 Makomanai SEKISUI HEIM Stadium, Sapporo

Date: July 11, 2026 (Saturday)

The Makomanai Fireworks Festival is one of Sapporo's largest urban fireworks events. Visitors can enjoy an impressive display of approximately 22,000 fireworks, perfectly synchronized with music, laser lighting, and flame effects. The event features productions by renowned Japanese fireworks companies, including Nihonbashi Marutamaya and Beniya Aoki Fireworks, both famous for winning prestigious national fireworks awards. If you're staying in Sapporo during July, this is one of the city's must-see summer events.

https://www.makomanai-hanabi.com/

Doshin UHB Fireworks Festival

📍 Toyohira River, Sapporo

Date: July 31, 2026 (Friday)

The Doshin UHB Fireworks Festival is one of the easiest fireworks events to access in Hokkaido, making it especially popular among both locals and tourists. Around 4,000 fireworks illuminate the Toyohira River, stretching between Toyohira Bridge and Minami 19-jo Bridge. Due to heavy crowds, traffic restrictions and station entry controls are expected around Nakajima Koen and Horohira-bashi Stations. Visitors are encouraged to use alternative subway stations such as Hosui Susukino, Gakuen-mae, or Nakanoshima.

https://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/hanabi2026/sapporo

4. Hakodate Port Festival Fireworks

📍 Midorino-shima, Hakodate Port

Event Schedule

August 1: 71st Doshin Fireworks Festival
August 2–3: Wasshoi Hakodate Parade & Dance Festival
August 4: Reserve Day
August 5: Fireworks Postponement Date (if required)

The Hakodate Port Festival is one of Hokkaido's most iconic summer celebrations. The festival begins with a spectacular fireworks display over Hakodate Bay before continuing with lively parades, traditional performances, and local festivities. Approximately 5,000 fireworks light up the waterfront, creating an unforgettable combination of fireworks and Hakodate's famous night views.

https://www.hakodate-minatomatsuri.org/schedule/

5. Otaru Ushio Festival Grand Fireworks Display

📍 Otaru Port Pier No. 3

Date: July 26, 2026 (Sunday)

The Otaru Ushio Festival Fireworks Display is one of Hokkaido's most scenic harbor fireworks events. Around 5,000 fireworks are launched over Otaru Port, beautifully reflecting on the sea and complementing the city's historic canal and charming waterfront atmosphere. It's a perfect highlight for anyone planning an Otaru day trip or a Hokkaido summer vacation.

https://otaru.ushiomatsuri.net

Planning a Hokkaido Road Trip?

If you're visiting Hokkaido during the summer, it's highly recommended to reserve your rental car early, as July and August are peak travel seasons.

With a rental car, you'll enjoy:

👉 Flexible pick-up and drop-off options
👉 Airport delivery service available
👉 Perfect for visiting multiple fireworks festivals

Freedom to explore Hokkaido's scenic roads and hidden attractions

HAYAKU Rent A Car specializes in vehicles designed for unforgettable Hokkaido road trips, including:

👉JDM Sports Cars
👉4WD Vehicles
👉8-Seater Family Cars
👉Safe Winter Driving Vehicles

We provide multilingual customer support in English, Chinese, and Japanese, transparent pricing, comprehensive insurance options, and convenient pick-up and return services in Sapporo and New Chitose Airport.

Whether you're chasing Hokkaido's spectacular summer fireworks or planning the ultimate scenic road trip, HAYAKU Rent A Car helps you explore the island with complete freedom.

Book your Hokkaido rental car today and experience the best summer road trip in Japan.