NaraLeisure

Walk and snack on local specialties like mugwort mochi on the stone-paved approach street, and enjoy the atmosphere in front of the Nio Gate

About this spot

The temple approach extending along the Hase River (初瀬川) from Kintetsu Hasedera Station (近鉄長谷寺駅) is a quaint stone-paved shopping street lined with lodges, teahouses, and souvenir shops. You can leisurely stroll while sampling local specialties like mugwort mochi and arrowroot sweets characteristic of Nara. At the end of the approach stands the imposing Nio Gate of Hasedera, with the beautiful greenery of the stairs leading upward. Hasedera is the eighth station on the Saigoku (Western) pilgrimage route and is also famous as a peony blossom destination. For this course, simply reaching the gate town and enjoying its atmosphere provides plenty of Yamato region charm without necessarily entering the temple grounds.

Fireworks details

Name: おんぱら祭奉納花火大会

Date & time: 7/31 (Fri) 19:30–

Venue: 桜井市・桜井市芝運動公園（綱越神社周辺）

Shells: approx. 2,000

2026年7月31日(金)19時30分、桜井市芝運動公園の夜空に約2,000発の花火が打ち上がります。おんぱら祭奉納花火大会は、大神神社の摂社・綱越神社の夏越祭に奉納される歴史ある花火大会で、大和の地に古くから続く夏の風物詩です。山に囲まれた奈良盆地特有の地形が打ち上げ音を反響させ、花火の光と音が全身に届く迫力があります。神社の杜を背景に次々と開く大輪の花は、海辺や湖とは異なる、山に抱かれた大和路ならではの情緒にあふれています。1日をかけて訪ね歩いた三輪の神域と古代ロマンの記憶とともに、夜空の花火を眺めるひとときは格別です。

Tips

荒天時の開催可否は桜井市または大会主催者の公式発表で事前に確認してください。終了後は周辺道路と駅への歩行者が集中するため、終演後しばらく公園内でゆっくりしてから移動するのがおすすめです。近鉄・JR 桜井駅までの帰り道は足元が暗い箇所もあるため、ライトを用意しておくと安心です。

Food stalls

Food stalls: Yes

※Based on previous years. Stall lineups change year to year. Please check the official site for the latest details.

Turn this into a day plan with stall time included

Source: hanabi.cloud

Tips

About 15 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Hasedera Station, or approximately 10 minutes by Kintetsu train from Sakurai Station. Food items can be purchased at various shops along the approach. If entering Hasedera temple grounds, separate admission is required. Since the fireworks venue at Sakurai City Shiba Athletic Park is in the direction of Sakurai Station, begin moving around 4:30 PM to have adequate time for evening preparations.