YamagataLeisure

Nishikawa Summer Festival (around Nishikawa Exchange Center Aibe)

Flow of the course

Previous stop: A shrine with the former main hall of Nichigetsu-ji Temple, designated a National Important Cultural Property. Its wooden architecture, among the largest in the Tohoku region, is well worth seeing.

About 300 min here

About this spot

This is Nishikawa Town's largest summer festival, held from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026. Night stalls line up around Nishikawa Exchange Center Aibe (西川交流センターあいべ), bustling with community events including bon-odori dancing. Enjoy the festival atmosphere while having dinner from the food stalls, and as it grows dark, about 5,000 fireworks shells are launched into the night sky. Because the venue is surrounded by mountains, the sound of the fireworks echoing all around adds to the impact. It's a long-lasting summer festival, a fitting close to a day spent enjoying famous water and hot springs.

Fireworks details

Name: にしかわ夏祭り

Date & time: 7/25 (Sat) 16:00–21:00 (花火打上 19:30–20:45・打上セレモニー19:15–)

Venue: 西村山郡西川町・西川交流センターあいべ(大字間沢280)〜にしかわイノベーションハブTRAS(大字間沢300-1)周辺

Shells: 5,000

Source: town.nishikawa.yamagata.jp

Tips

The event may be cancelled or postponed in case of bad weather, so please check in advance whether it's going ahead on the day. Parking around the venue is limited, so early arrival is recommended. Don't forget something to layer on for the evening.