Lake Biwa Fireworks Event Abruptly Canceled Over Missing Permits

Aug 10, 2026 | News On Japan

SHIGA - A fireworks festival that had been promoted as a simultaneous display of more than 10,000 fireworks across three cities on Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture was abruptly canceled on August 9, with organizers having failed to submit applications for permits required to hold the event.

The Lake Biwa Three-City Simultaneous Fireworks Festival had been scheduled for August 22 in Nagahama, Hikone and Takashima, with announcements on social media and elsewhere saying more than 10,000 fireworks would be launched across the three locations.

The cancellation was announced suddenly on August 9.

Organizers had not submitted applications to the Shiga Prefectural Government for permits required under the River Act to stage the event on Lake Biwa. The three municipal governments issued warnings on August 6 stating that they were not involved in organizing the festival.

Organizers had also sought payments of 50,000 yen from businesses wishing to operate food stalls and other booths at the event.

A restaurant operator that had already paid the participation fee said the process differed from other events. "At other events, the organizers first screen applicants, and once you are approved to participate, you pay the fee. There was none of that, so that also made me feel something was unusual," the operator said.

Paid spectator tickets are also believed to have been sold.

The organizers said on the event's website that they are consulting legal experts regarding refunds.

琵琶湖花火大会、許可申請ないまま突然中止

滋賀県の琵琶湖で3市同時に1万発以上を打ち上げるとして告知されていた花火大会が、開催に必要な許可申請が行われていなかったことが判明し、8月9日に突然中止となった。

琵琶湖烟花大会因未申请许可突然取消

原定在滋贺县琵琶湖沿岸三个城市同时燃放超过1万发烟花的活动，于8月9日突然宣布取消，主办方此前并未提交举办活动所需的许可申请。

Source: TBS

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