Do this now
Follow these steps in order.
- 01
Choose August 13 for the waterfront fireworks or August 14 for the group dance; the opening program is at Anabuki Arena Kagawa on August 12.
- 02
Decide between free viewing and a reserved paid seat before arrival, then check live Ticket Pia inventory for the exact seat category if a guaranteed space matters.
- 03
Use JR Takamatsu Station or Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station and protect the return connection; waterfront roads and parking become heavily congested.
- 04
Recheck the organizer's weather notice, the current Heat Stroke Alert and any traffic restrictions on the day, then carry a raincoat rather than an umbrella for paid seating.
What to know
Choose the day by the experience you want
The 59th Sanuki Takamatsu Festival is scheduled from Wednesday, August 12 through Friday, August 14, 2026. The official details below were checked on August 10, 2026.
- August 12 — opening program at Anabuki Arena Kagawa from 16:00–21:00.
- August 13 — fireworks over Takamatsu Port from 20:15–20:45. The organizer lists 6,000 fireworks, including musical sequences around Sunport and Mizuki-dori.
- August 14 — group dance at the Sunport Takamatsu Multi-purpose Square and Stone Stage from 17:30–20:30.
- The traditional Chuo-dori unified group dance and Group Dance AWARD are not being held in 2026, so do not reuse an older map or schedule for August 14.
What to know
Free viewing and paid waterfront seating are different plans
Official free viewing is available in the Sunport Takamatsu area and along Mizuki-dori Street. A free area does not provide a reserved view, and crowd controls can change where spectators may stand. Follow staff barriers and keep emergency and pedestrian routes clear.
Reserved paid viewing is around Seto Sea Palette, with entry from 17:00 on August 13. The Symbol Tower Hall Building rooftop and the Anabuki Arena Kagawa terrace are described as sponsored seating, not ordinary walk-up free areas. Check the official map before assuming that any waterfront point is publicly accessible.
What to know
Paid seats range from ¥5,000 to table packages for six
The official seat site lists ordinary and premium chair or section categories from ¥5,000 to ¥12,000 per person. Six-person table packages are ¥42,000 or ¥51,000, and the wheelchair package is ¥9,000 for one wheelchair user and up to two companions. All listed prices include tax and were checked on August 10, 2026.
Tickets are sold through Ticket Pia online or at Seven-Eleven using P-code 660-993. The municipal page lists sales through 17:00 on August 13 if inventory remains, but individual categories can sell out earlier. Match the correct category before payment; a preschool child may sit on an adult's lap without a separate ticket, but needs a ticket to use a seat.
What to know
JR Takamatsu and Takamatsu-Chikko are the practical access points
The main Sunport venues are approximately a four-minute walk from JR Takamatsu Station or Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station. Save the station exit and return platform before entering the crowd, because event barriers can make the shortest map route unavailable.
There is no dedicated parking for the paid viewing area, and the city recommends public transport. The official parking notice warns that cars can take more than one hour to leave the Symbol Tower basement parking after the fireworks because of traffic controls. If driving is unavoidable, recheck the city's temporary parking and closure details rather than relying on normal waterfront parking hours.
What to know
Light rain can proceed, but severe weather cancels without postponement
The August 13 fireworks proceed in light rain. Severe weather causes cancellation, and the organizer does not schedule a postponement date. The August 14 dance is also cancelled in severe weather. Check the city's latest notice before making a long transfer to Takamatsu.
If the organizer cancels the fireworks, paid tickets are eligible for the published refund process. Other personal itinerary changes are not a refund reason. Umbrellas are prohibited in the paid viewing area, so take a raincoat and keep the ticket record needed for any organizer-directed refund.
What to know
Heat and crowd conditions should shape the arrival time
Kagawa is included in the Heat Stroke Alert issued for August 10, but that does not predict the event-day status. Check the Ministry of the Environment's current Kagawa WBGT and Heat Stroke Alert on August 12–14, carry water and schedule an indoor cooling break before the evening program.
Road controls and the station crowd peak around the fireworks. Arrive with enough time to follow staff routing, and do not block the flow to take a photograph. Drones are prohibited around the main venue and viewing areas, and the city asks visitors not to walk while using a smartphone.
What to know
Build a fallback before committing to the waterfront
If paid seats are sold out, use an official free viewing area or choose the August 14 dance rather than buying an unclear resale ticket. Free viewing is not a guarantee of an unobstructed position, so keep expectations flexible and obey any capacity controls.
If severe weather cancels the fireworks, there is no next-day fireworks fallback. Treat August 14 as a separate dance program, not a rescheduled fireworks night, and verify whether it is operating before travel.
If that does not work
Use the fallback.
- If the preferred paid category is sold out, choose an official free area or another festival day instead of an unofficial resale listing.
- If severe weather cancels the fireworks, follow the official refund instructions; there is no postponement date.
- If the station or waterfront is capacity-controlled, follow police and event staff routing rather than forcing the shortest map path.
- If the final practical train is at risk, leave the viewing area early or wait for a safer connection plan instead of depending on a fast exit from the crowd.
Before you need it
Save this offline.
- Official festival program and venue map
- Exact paid-seat category and Ticket Pia record, if purchased
- JR Takamatsu or Takamatsu-Chikko return route
- Last practical train and accommodation address
- Organizer weather and cancellation page
- Current Kagawa WBGT and Heat Stroke Alert page
Frequently asked questions
Sanuki Takamatsu Festival 2026: Fireworks, Tickets and Access FAQ
When is the Sanuki Takamatsu Festival in 2026?
The official festival dates are August 12–14, 2026. The opening program is August 12, fireworks are August 13, and the group dance is August 14.
What time are the Takamatsu fireworks?
The fireworks are scheduled for August 13 from 20:15–20:45 at Takamatsu Port. Recheck the organizer's weather notice before travel.
Can I watch the Takamatsu fireworks for free?
Yes. The organizer lists free viewing in the Sunport Takamatsu area and along Mizuki-dori Street. These areas do not provide reserved seats or a guaranteed unobstructed view.
How much are paid Takamatsu fireworks seats?
Individual chair, premium and section categories are listed from ¥5,000 to ¥12,000. Six-person table packages are ¥42,000 or ¥51,000, and the wheelchair package is ¥9,000 for up to three people. Check current inventory and the exact category before purchase.
Where can I buy a paid fireworks ticket?
Use Ticket Pia online or Seven-Eleven with P-code 660-993. The official sales window runs through 17:00 on August 13 if seats remain, but categories may sell out earlier.
What happens if it rains?
The fireworks proceed in light rain but are cancelled in severe weather, with no postponement date. Umbrellas are prohibited in the paid area, so use a raincoat. Organizer cancellation uses the official refund process.
How do I reach the festival?
The Sunport venues are about four minutes on foot from JR Takamatsu Station or Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station. Public transport is strongly recommended because of road controls and severe parking congestion.
Primary evidence
Official sources used
Open these pages again before travel. External links lead to the responsible Japanese authority or transport organization.
