Shiga's Nagahama fireworks festival and Otsu water‑combat competition attract visitors

The annual Nagahama North Lake Biwa fireworks festival will be held over four days from September 16‑18 and October 16 in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture. Organisers have introduced paid viewing seats for the first time, offering spectators closer access to the displays that are themed around the Sengoku period.

In a separate event, Otsu City hosted a water‑combat competition that brought together top athletes from across Japan for the first time in 23 years. Competitors performed on boats on Lake Biwa, showcasing a range of combat styles and drawing significant local interest.