[2026–2027] Upcoming Drone Shows in Japan: Dates and Fleet Sizes for 11 Shows, Including 1,300 Drones in Nagano, Wakayama and Ueno

Schedules for drone shows, in which large numbers of illuminated drones draw pictures and letters in the night sky, have been announced around Japan for November 2026 onward. Wakayama City will hold a 1,000-drone show at Wakayama Castle on Saturday, November 21, and at Meriken Park in Kobe, shows are scheduled twice a day for seven days from Saturday, December 19. In Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, and Hidaka, Saitama Prefecture, there are also shows in November as part of commemorative events. About 1,300 drones will fly at the Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival on Monday, November 23 (national holiday), and shows combined with winter events are also planned, such as Christmas at Tomamu in Hokkaido, New Year’s Eve in Kobe and an illumination at Wakayama Marina City running until February 2027. In Tokyo and Osaka, shows will be held in November at Ueno Park and the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, and a show has been announced every Friday for a year from June 2026 in Shinsekai, Osaka. Meanwhile, no winter shows had been announced for Odaiba or Yokohama as of October 26. Based on announcements and calls for proposals from organizers, local governments and operators, this article sorts out 11 shows planned from November to March 2027, their fleet sizes and things to note when going to see them.

A drone show is a production in which LED-equipped drones fly in formation according to a preprogrammed sequence, drawing shapes, letters and animations. Overseas, a simultaneous flight of 33,615 drones in Sichuan Province, China, was certified as a Guinness World Record in May 2026 (our article on the drone show Guinness World Record). Many of the 11 domestic shows covered in this article are held in combination with fireworks, illuminations, citizens’ festivals, commemorative events for companies and facilities, and Christmas and New Year’s Eve events.

Upcoming: 11 shows from November to March

• Sunday, November 1: “Yudai Group 40th Anniversary Fireworks & Drone Show” on the riverbank of the Kano River, Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture. Fleet size not announced; free admission

• Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8: “Peace of Light” at Ueno Park, Taito City, Tokyo. Fleet size not announced; free to view

• Saturday, November 14: “Night Festival Marking the 35th Anniversary of the City: Drone and Dance Show of Light and Sound” around Hidaka Arena, Hidaka, Saitama Prefecture. The specifications call for 300 or more drones

• Saturday, November 21: “WAKAYAMA LIGHTS 2026” at Wakayama Castle, Wakayama. 1,000 drones

• Saturday, November 21: “5th Banpaku: The Day the Night Sky Becomes Art 2026” at the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, Suita, Osaka Prefecture. Fleet size not announced; all seats reserved and paid

• Nine days between Sunday, November 22 and Sunday, February 14, 2027: “Festa Luce” at Wakayama Marina City, Wakayama. 500 drones; event admission required

• Monday, November 23 (national holiday): “120th Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival” at Saigawa No. 2 Green Space, Nagano. About 1,300 drones

• Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from Tuesday, December 1 to Friday, December 25, plus the 24th and 25th: “Farm Christmas” at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, Shimukappu Village, Hokkaido. Fleet size not announced; free to participate

• Saturday, December 19 – Friday, December 25: “Kobe Meriken Christmas: Lights for the Future and Lights of the Port” at Meriken Park, Kobe. Fleet size not announced; free admission

• Thursday, December 31: “KOBE NEW YEAR COUNTDOWN 2026-2027” at Roadside Station Kobe Fruit Flower Park Ozo, Kobe. Fleet size not announced; paid

• Every Friday (planned for one year from June 5, 2026): “SKY BILLBOARD PROJECT” in Shinsekai, Naniwa Ward, Osaka. 300 drones

Within the scope of our research, as of October 26 the only shows with dates in January to March 2027 were Festa Luce at Wakayama Marina City (Saturday, January 9 and Sunday, January 10, and Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14) and Osaka Shinsekai’s SKY BILLBOARD PROJECT, announced to fly every Friday for a year from June 2026.

Wakayama Castle: A record 1,000 drones on November 21

On September 28, Wakayama City announced that the drone show “WAKAYAMA LIGHTS 2026” at Wakayama Castle will be held for about 15 minutes from 19:00 on Saturday, November 21. It will use 1,000 drones, which the city calls “the largest ever.” The main viewing area is Nishinomaru Plaza. From the same day until Sunday, December 27, the Ninomaru Garden will also host “Wakayama Castle: Night of Light and Fantasy,” a production of light. According to the announcement, a sea of clouds will be staged at ground level in the central plaza, with giant whales and fish swimming through it.

Date and time: Saturday, November 21, 2026, about 15 minutes from 19:00
Venue: Wakayama Castle (Ichibancho, Wakayama). Main viewing area: Nishinomaru Plaza
Fleet size: 1,000 drones
Admission: Not stated in the September 28 announcement
Announced by: Wakayama City (planning and operation by Takasho Digitec Co., the city’s contractor)
Official announcement: Wakayama City press release

After an evaluation on August 19, the city decided to entrust the drone show and nighttime event work to Takasho Digitec Co. Three companies took part in the call for proposals, and the planned contract amount is ¥21,250,000 (tax included). The company’s proposal (summary version) outlines a structure layering chapters themed on the Toyotomi, the Tokugawa and Wakayama, ending with a giant whale of light leaping into the night sky. In the proposal’s implementation structure, Drone Show Japan handles management of the drone show. However, the city says details such as the timing are proposals by the business and will be decided through future consultations with the city. The city’s fiscal 2025 specifications called for three 500-drone shows in autumn, winter and spring.

Kobe Meriken Christmas: Twice a day for seven days from December 19

At Meriken Park in Kobe, the “Kobe Minato no Yoru” Executive Committee will hold “Kobe Meriken Christmas: Lights for the Future and Lights of the Port” from Saturday, December 19 to Friday, December 25. A pre-event for the 160th anniversary of the opening of Kobe Port, it features a drone show as its main content. According to Kobe City, each show lasts 10 minutes, twice a day at 18:00 and 20:00 from the 20th to the 24th. On the 19th the drones fly at 17:30 (the second show’s time is being adjusted), and on the 25th at 18:00 and 19:45, with five minutes of fireworks in conjunction with the “Kobe Port Weekend Fireworks” following on both days (all planned). The drone show is directed by REDCLIFF.

Dates: Saturday, December 19 – Friday, December 25, 2026
Hours: 16:00–21:00 (drone shows planned twice a day, 10 minutes each)
Venue: Meriken Park (Kobe)
Fleet size: Not announced as of October 26
Admission: Free
Organizer: “Kobe Minato no Yoru” Executive Committee
Official website: https://kobemerikenxmas.com/

At the same event in 2025, about 500 drones flew for six consecutive days. The executive committee says its predecessor, “Kobe Haikara Christmas,” drew a cumulative 150,000 visitors in 2024. According to the official website, the drone show and fireworks are canceled in rain and when wind speeds exceed the standard, with information on the day posted on the official Instagram. Bringing and flying small unmanned aircraft (drones, etc.) around the venue and saving spots inside the venue are prohibited.

Numazu and Hidaka: At commemorative events in November

[Ended] Yudai Group 40th Anniversary Fireworks & Drone Show (Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture)

On Sunday, November 1, the “Yudai Group 40th Anniversary Fireworks & Drone Show” will be held on the riverbank of the Kano River in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture. The event commemorates the 40th anniversary of the founding of Yudai Group Co., and REDCLIFF, which is handling the drone show, calls it the first show in Numazu and on the Kano River. The fleet size has not been announced.

Date and time: Sunday, November 1, 2026, 17:00–18:30 (backup date Sunday, November 8)
Venue: Riverbank of the Kano River (from Onari Bridge to Ayumi Bridge, Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture)
Fleet size: Not announced
Admission: Free
Held as: A commemorative event for the 40th anniversary of Yudai Group Co.
Official website: Yudai Group announcement

According to REDCLIFF’s notice, numbered tickets or wristbands will be handed out on the day to manage admission, and entry may be restricted depending on crowding. There is no dedicated parking. Depending on the weather and other factors, the content may be partly changed or postponed to the backup date.

Drone and Dance Show of Light and Sound (Hidaka, Saitama Prefecture)

In Hidaka, Saitama Prefecture, the “Night Festival Marking the 35th Anniversary of the City: Drone and Dance Show of Light and Sound” takes place on the evening of Saturday, November 14, the first day of the “35th Hidaka Citizens’ Festival.” White Crow Inc. was selected as the best proposer in a call for proposals by the Hidaka Citizens’ Festival Executive Committee. The committee’s specifications call for two shows of about 15 minutes, from 18:00 and 19:00, with 300 or more drones.

Date and time: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 18:00–19:15
Venue: Cultural gymnasium “Hidaka Arena” and its surroundings (Hidaka, Saitama Prefecture)
Fleet size: 300 or more according to the specifications
Admission: Not stated in the city’s information
Commissioned by: Hidaka Citizens’ Festival Executive Committee
Official website: Hidaka City event information

The city’s information says that in rain or strong wind, the venue will move to the sub-arena of Hidaka Arena. The specifications say that in bad weather, prerecorded footage is to be screened indoors, and in its answers to questions about the call for proposals, the committee said no backup date would be set. The implementation cap in the call for proposals was ¥8,000,000 (tax included). The committee also sought sponsorship, such as ¥10,000 per unit from individuals.

Nagano and Wakayama Marina City: About 1,300 drones at a fireworks festival, and an event running until February

120th Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival (Nagano)

At Saigawa No. 2 Green Space in Nagano, a drone show with about 1,300 drones will take place at the “120th Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival” on Monday, November 23 (national holiday). The organizer is the Nagano Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The show begins at around 17:30 as Otsuka Pharmaceutical Oronamin C Drink’s “Genki Hatsuratsu! Great Sky Chorus 2026,” and according to the chamber, it is an interactive production in which drones draw a giant “Oronamin C Drink,” lyrics and musical staves in the night sky as visitors sing along. About 10,000 fireworks will be launched from 18:00. Paid viewing seats have been on sale through Ticket Pia since September 1. Seat prices and arrangements in bad weather are not stated in the chamber’s August 31 announcement. REDCLIFF lists this event in the “2026 Drone Show Schedule” on its website.

Date and time: Monday, November 23, 2026 (national holiday). Drone show from around 17:30, fireworks from 18:00
Venue: Saigawa No. 2 Green Space, west of Nagano Ohashi Bridge (Nagano)
Fleet size: About 1,300 drones
Admission: Paid viewing seats available (on sale through Ticket Pia from September 1; seat prices not stated in the announcement)
Organizer: Nagano Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Official website: https://www.nagano-ebisukou.jp/
Announcement: Nagano Chamber of Commerce and Industry announcement

Festa Luce in Wakayama Marina City (Wakayama)

At Porto Europa in Wakayama Marina City, Wakayama, the illumination event “Festa Luce in Wakayama Marina City: Where You Can Meet the Real Christmas” runs from Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, February 14, 2027, with a total of ten drone shows during the period. It is organized by the Festa Luce Executive Committee and produced by MK Illumination and Takasho Digitec Co. According to the special website, 500 drones will fly as a special program for its 10th anniversary. Show dates from November onward are nine days—Sunday, November 22, Saturday, November 28, Saturday, December 12, Friday, December 25, Saturday, December 26, Saturday, January 9 and Sunday, January 10, 2027, and Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14—from 19:00 to 19:15. The shows on November 28, December 12 and December 25 are special collaborations with a lantern festival. For the 2025–26 season, Drone Show Japan had also announced up to ten shows with up to 500 drones. The operator of the 2026 shows is not stated on the official website. The event requires admission, and from Saturday, January 2 it is open only on weekends and holidays.

Dates and times: Sunday, November 22, Saturday, November 28, Saturday, December 12, Friday, December 25 and Saturday, December 26, 2026; Saturday, January 9 and Sunday, January 10, and Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, 2027; 19:00–19:15
Venue: Porto Europa, Wakayama Marina City (Kemi, Wakayama)
Fleet size: 500 drones
Admission: Festa Luce admission. Adults (high school students and older) ¥1,800 same-day, ¥1,600 advance; children (3 and up) ¥1,000 same-day, ¥800 advance
Organizer: Festa Luce Executive Committee (co-organizer: Wakayama Marina City)
Official website: https://festaluce.jp/wakayama/

Tomamu and Kobe: Christmas and New Year’s Eve in December

Farm Christmas (Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, Shimukappu Village, Hokkaido)

At Hoshino Resorts Tomamu in Shimukappu Village, Hokkaido, RISONARE Tomamu holds a “Christmas Drone Show” as part of its “Farm Christmas” event from Tuesday, December 1 to Friday, December 25. Shows are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the period and on Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25, twice a day at 18:30 and 21:00. According to an October 13 announcement, the show draws animations of trees, cows and more on the theme of “Farm × Christmas,” and Santa Claus appears at the venue for the finale. Participation is free, and both hotel guests and day visitors can watch. It may be canceled depending on weather and atmospheric conditions. In December 2025, Tomamu started a 500-drone show in partnership with AlterSky Inc., calling it “Japan’s first permanent drone show.” The 2026 fleet size has not been announced.

Dates and times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from Tuesday, December 1 to Friday, December 25, 2026, plus Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th. Twice a day at 18:30 and 21:00
Venue: Hotaru Street, Hoshino Resorts Tomamu (Shimukappu Village, Yufutsu District, Hokkaido)
Fleet size: Not announced as of October 26 (500 drones in 2025)
Admission: Free (viewable by both hotel guests and day visitors)
Organizer: RISONARE Tomamu (Hoshino Resorts)
Official announcement: Hoshino Resorts press release

KOBE NEW YEAR COUNTDOWN 2026-2027 (Kobe)

At Roadside Station Kobe Fruit Flower Park Ozo in Kobe, a “COUNTDOWN Drone Show” will take place from 23:50 to 24:10 at “KOBE NEW YEAR COUNTDOWN 2026-2027 | Kobe Illuminage Countdown Festival” on Thursday, December 31. It is the New Year’s Eve event of the illumination “Kobe Illuminage,” which began at the venue on October 23 and runs until Sunday, February 14, 2027; according to the official website, it combines the illumination and drone show with a DJ dance party, a bubble show, street performances and food trucks. Regular tickets are not valid on December 31; a dedicated countdown ticket is required. Direct round-trip shuttle buses will also run from Sannomiya to the venue (from ¥14,800 for adults). The fleet size and organizer are not stated on the official website, and the schedule may change depending on weather and circumstances.

Date and time: Thursday, December 31, 2026, 20:00 to 2:30 the next morning (opening hours). Drone show 23:50–24:10
Venue: Roadside Station Kobe Fruit Flower Park Ozo (Kobe)
Fleet size: Not announced as of October 26
Admission: Dedicated countdown ticket. Adults (junior high school students and older) ¥8,000, children (ages 1 to elementary school) ¥4,000, pets ¥500
Organizer: Not stated on the official website (the website says “Illuminage Group”)
Official website: https://illuminagegroup.com/ja/events/kobe/countdown

Tokyo and Osaka: Ueno and the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in November, Shinsekai every Friday

[Ended] Peace of Light (Ueno Park, Taito City, Tokyo)

The Ueno Tourism Federation will hold the “Ueno Drone Show” on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8 as part of “Peace of Light,” held at Ueno Park from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 8 (no show on the 6th). The event commemorates the 10th anniversary of the National Museum of Western Art’s inscription as a World Heritage site, and the show’s theme is “Ueno’s Story Drawn in the Night Sky.” According to the organizer, motifs associated with Ueno, such as the National Museum of Western Art and Ameyoko, will be drawn with drone lights. The fleet size has not been announced. The drones fly over Shinobazu Pond on the 7th and over Tokyo National Museum on the 8th; viewing areas are in front of the Hasumi Deck at Shinobazu Pond on the 7th and the Fountain Plaza on the 8th. The grounds of Tokyo National Museum cannot be entered. The show may be canceled due to weather or times changed without notice, with the latest information posted on the Ueno Tourism Federation’s official X account. It is supported by Taito City and J-WAVE. REDCLIFF lists this show in the “2026 Drone Show Schedule” on its website.

Dates and times: Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 19:30, and Sunday, November 8, from 20:00 (about 15 minutes each)
Venue: Ueno Park (Taito City, Tokyo). Viewing areas: Shinobazu Pond (in front of the Hasumi Deck) on the 7th and the Fountain Plaza on the 8th
Fleet size: Not announced as of October 26
Admission: Free
Organizer: Ueno Tourism Federation (support: Taito City and J-WAVE)
Official website: https://enjoy.ueno.or.jp/peaceoflight/

5th Banpaku: The Day the Night Sky Becomes Art 2026 (Suita, Osaka Prefecture)

At the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, a drone show will accompany about 15,000 fireworks at the fireworks festival “5th Banpaku: The Day the Night Sky Becomes Art 2026” on Saturday, November 21. The organizer is the Banpaku Fireworks Project Executive Committee. To mark its fifth anniversary, with permission from the Taro Okamoto Memorial Foundation for Contemporary Art, drone art based on the Tower of the Sun will be drawn. According to the official website, a “Tower of the Sun” drawn by drones will appear above the actual Tower of the Sun in the park, with the production by REDCLIFF. The fleet size has not been announced. A ticket is required to enter the fireworks venue, and since all seats are reserved, there is no need to save spots. It goes ahead in rain but is canceled in stormy weather, with no postponement. The organizer says fireworks will be launched in rain unless wind speeds reach 10 meters per second or more, and asks visitors not to use umbrellas in the rain.

Date and time: Saturday, November 21, 2026; gates open 12:00, show starts 19:00 (planned)
Venue: East Plaza, Expo ’70 Commemorative Park (Suita, Osaka Prefecture)
Fleet size: Not announced as of October 26
Admission: All seats reserved and paid. Panorama Seats ¥9,600 for adults and ¥4,800 for children, Dynamic Seats ¥12,000, Premium Front Seats ¥26,000 and others (tax included)
Organizer: Banpaku Fireworks Project Executive Committee (co-organizer: Expo Commemorative Park Management Partners)
Official website: https://banpakuhanabi.jp/

SKY BILLBOARD PROJECT (Shinsekai, Naniwa Ward, Osaka)

On May 27, Kyowa Sangyo Co. announced that, together with Maruhan West Japan Company, it would launch the permanent advertising drone show “SKY BILLBOARD PROJECT” in Shinsekai, Naniwa Ward, Osaka. According to the announcement, for one year from June 5, 2026, 300 drones will fly from the roof of Maruhan Shinsekai every Friday, presenting about 15 minutes of LED light animation. The schedule may change, and the animation changes monthly. Kyowa Sangyo positions it as urban advertising for corporate brand promotion, tourism PR for local governments and other purposes, and calls it Japan’s first drone show operated continuously and permanently at an urban tourist destination (as of May 2026, according to the company). From July, it said it would invite hand-drawn illustrations from Osaka residents on the theme of “My Beloved Osaka,” selecting one to three works a month to be drawn with 300 drones. The viewing area is the Shinsekai area; the roofs of the Maruhan Shinsekai store and parking lot cannot be entered. The start time is not stated in the announcement, and changes of date or cancellations due to bad weather are announced on the official X account of Kyowa Sangyo’s PR drone show. Bringing and flying drones in the area and unauthorized stopping or parking on surrounding roads and at commercial facilities are prohibited.

Dates: Every Friday (planned for one year from June 5, 2026; the schedule may change). Start time not stated in the announcement
Venue: Roof of Maruhan Shinsekai (Naniwa Ward, Osaka). Viewing area: Shinsekai area
Fleet size: 300 drones
Admission: Not stated in the announcement
Held by: Kyowa Sangyo Co. and Maruhan West Japan Company
Official announcement: Kyowa Sangyo press release

Tokyo, Yokohama and Osaka: Winter shows in Odaiba and Yokohama not yet announced

Within the scope of our research, as of October 26 the only show in Tokyo with dates from November onward was the one at “Peace of Light” in Ueno Park (above). In 2026, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Bureau of Port and Harbor held two special productions combining the “Tokyo Aqua Symphony” fountain at Odaiba Marine Park with drone shows. On August 29 and 30, it teamed up with 800 REDCLIFF drones, and in September a second round with the 1,000-drone “ODAIBA DRONE SHOW 2026” (executive committee: Drone Show Japan and ULTRA PLANET) was planned for the 4th to 6th and the 18th to 22nd. In September, the shows were canceled on the 6th due to torrential rain and on the 20th and 21st due to a typhoon. As of October 26, the Tokyo Aqua Symphony’s official website had no announcement of collaborations with drone shows from November onward.

In Etchujima, Koto City, Drone Show Japan has staged 500-drone shows above Yamatane’s Fukagawa office, with “Xmas Night Canvas” in December 2025 followed by “WHITE DAY DRONE SHOW SIGNAL by TOKYO Night Canvas” in March 2026. In its March announcement, Yamatane said it planned to hold about ten shows during 2026, but no dates from November onward have been released. In Takeshiba, AGEHARIDe also says it will continue staging the drone show “LIGHTDANCe,” but has not given dates.

In Yokohama, the 3,500-drone “YOKOHAMA STAR☆NIGHT DRONE SHOW” (organized by the Yokohama DeNA BayStars) was planned for July 26 at Rinko Park in Minato Mirai. In a July 1 announcement, REDCLIFF, which handled it, called this fleet “the largest in Japan in terms of the number of drones flown simultaneously” (as of June 22, 2026, according to the Japan Record Certification Association). For winter events, the September 4 announcement of “Yoru no Yo 2026,” running from Friday, December 4 to Wednesday, December 30, does not include a drone show (our article on Yoru no Yo 2026).

In Osaka, while there are the shows at the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park and Shinsekai (above), the core program announced on September 24 for the “Osaka Festival of the Lights 2026,” running from Tuesday, November 3 (national holiday) to Sunday, January 31, 2027, includes no drone show (our article on the Osaka Festival of the Lights 2026). In addition, as of October 26, neither the July 14 announcement of Huis Ten Bosch’s “The Starlight Million,” starting on Friday, November 6, nor the official website of the Sapporo Snow Festival, from Thursday, February 4 to Thursday, February 11, 2027 (national holiday), mentions a drone show. Winter light events as a whole are introduced in our roundup of winter illuminations across Japan. At Laguna Gamagori in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture, Drone Show Japan and Laguna Marina are planning a permanent show held mainly on weekends, but no start date has been given.

Last winter’s examples: Some were announced only in December

In the winter of 2025–2026, there were shows such as the following. Of these, as of October 26 only Kobe had been confirmed for winter 2026.

• Ashikaga Flower Park (Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture): A 500-drone “Flower Fantasy Drone Show” on ten days between December 27, 2025 and January 11, 2026. No charge beyond park admission. Announced December 12. The special page for the 2026 “Garden of Flowers of Light” (Saturday, October 17, 2026 – Sunday, February 14, 2027) makes no mention of a drone show

• Funabashi Racecourse (Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture): “REDCLIFF COUNTDOWN DRONE SHOW 2026,” organized by REDCLIFF, on December 31, 2025. The New Year’s Eve show used 2,026 drones, with paid viewing (¥3,000 for those 20 and over, among other prices). Announced December 24

• Above Yamatane’s Fukagawa office (Koto City, Tokyo): The 500-drone “Xmas Night Canvas” on December 20 and 21, 2025. Announced December 9

• Meriken Park (Kobe): “Kobe Meriken Christmas” with about 500 drones, December 20–25, 2025. Announced October 17

Before you go: Cancellation decisions, viewing areas and bringing drones

Drone shows are affected by rain and wind. Kobe says it cancels in rain and when wind speeds exceed the standard, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Bureau of Port and Harbor also said shows might not take place depending on weather conditions. The organizer of the Odaiba shows explained that shows may be postponed or canceled based on standards set by the Civil Aviation Bureau and others, and in September a total of three days of shows were canceled due to torrential rain and a typhoon. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s review guidelines require that when flying over event venues where many people gather, drones not be flown when wind speeds are 5 m/s or more, or when the sum of flight speed and wind speed is 7 m/s or more. Information on whether shows will go ahead on the day is posted on the official Instagram for Kobe, the Ueno Tourism Federation’s official X account for Ueno and the official X account of Kyowa Sangyo’s PR drone show for Shinsekai in Osaka. The September Odaiba shows were announced on the event’s official X account. Backup dates vary by event: Numazu has Sunday, November 8, while Hidaka has none. The Expo ’70 Commemorative Park fireworks festival goes ahead in rain, is canceled in stormy weather and will not be postponed.

Viewing area guidance also differs by event. Wakayama designates Nishinomaru Plaza as the main viewing area, and Kobe says all of Meriken Park is a viewing spot. Ueno divides viewing areas by day—in front of the Hasumi Deck at Shinobazu Pond on the 7th and the Fountain Plaza on the 8th—and the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park fireworks festival says there is no need to save spots because all seats are reserved. The Etchujima show in December 2025 set no viewing area, asked people to look up at the sky from nearby, and urged them not to watch from illegally stopped or parked vehicles or to look away while driving. Numazu hands out numbered tickets or wristbands on the day. Drone Show Japan, which operated the “Ujina Drone Show 2026” (Hiroshima, 500 drones) on October 10 and 11, announced that about 18,000 people watched over the two days.

Spectators should avoid bringing and flying their own drones. Kobe’s official website prohibits bringing and flying small unmanned aircraft (drones, etc.) around the venue. Under the Civil Aviation Act, too, national approval is required to fly drones weighing 100 g or more at night or over event venues where many people gather, such as festivals and fairs. Ashikaga Flower Park does not allow drones to be brought in.

Editor’s perspective

The organizers and commissioning bodies of the 11 shows with dates announced as of October 26 range widely: local governments, local executive committees, a chamber of commerce, tourism organizations, companies and resorts. Viewing conditions also vary: Ueno, Numazu, Kobe’s Meriken Park and Tomamu are free, the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park and New Year’s Eve in Kobe use paid tickets, and Wakayama Marina City requires event admission. Wakayama and Hidaka selected businesses through calls for proposals; Hidaka’s implementation cap was ¥8,000,000 (tax included), and the planned contract amount with the business selected by Wakayama City, including the nighttime event, was ¥21,250,000 (tax included). The specifications in these calls set out even the minimum fleet size, performance length and arrangements for rain. For spectators, this means the framework of the content can be checked in public materials months before the event.

The absence of winter dates for Odaiba and Yokohama needs to be viewed alongside last winter’s announcement timing. Last winter, Etchujima announced on December 9, Ashikaga Flower Park on December 12 and Funabashi’s New Year’s Eve show on December 24—all 7 to 15 days before the shows. Among major shows in 2026, Yokohama’s 3,500 drones were planned for July, and Odaiba’s 800 and 1,000 drones for August and September. Among winter 2026 events, the drone show at the Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival was announced on August 31, Tomamu on October 13 and Kobe Meriken Christmas on October 15. It is worth checking official announcements on the assumption that some winter shows may be announced just before they take place.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government also offers grants for light productions, including drone shows. The program, run with the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau, subsidizes new projection mapping or drone show projects, covering up to two-thirds of costs for new projects, with a ceiling of ¥25 million. Policies on nighttime tourism are summarized in our article on the nighttime economy, and grant programs in our roundup of subsidies available for light events.

Frequently asked questions

Are there drone shows in Tokyo in winter 2026?

As of October 26, the only show in Tokyo with dates from November onward is the one at “Peace of Light,” held by the Ueno Tourism Federation at Ueno Park on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, which is free to view. Within the scope of our research, no show had announced dates from December onward. The Etchujima show in Koto City has announced plans for about ten shows during 2026, but the next date has not been released.

Are shows canceled in rain or wind?

Organizers say shows may be canceled or their times changed in rain or strong wind. Kobe cancels in rain and when wind speeds exceed the standard, and Numazu has set Sunday, November 8 as a backup date. The national review guidelines require that drones not be flown over event venues when wind speeds are 5 m/s or more.

What is the largest show in Japan by fleet size?

Regarding the 3,500-drone show planned for July 26 in Minato Mirai, Yokohama (organized by the Yokohama DeNA BayStars), REDCLIFF, which handled it, called it the largest in Japan in terms of the number of drones flown simultaneously (as of June 22, 2026, according to the Japan Record Certification Association). Among shows with dates from November onward whose fleet sizes have been announced, the largest is about 1,300 drones at the Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival on Monday, November 23 (national holiday), followed by 1,000 at Wakayama Castle on Saturday, November 21.

Approximate costs for organizers of drone shows and the procedures for permits and approvals under the Civil Aviation Act are summarized in our article on drone show costs, permits and approvals.

*Information as of October 26, 2026. Please check the official websites for the latest information.

*Top image: The “Ujina Drone Show 2026” (October 2026, Hiroshima) (from a Drone Show Japan press release)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on official announcements and public materials from Wakayama City, Kobe City, the “Kobe Minato no Yoru” Executive Committee, Hidaka City, Yudai Group, the Nagano Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ueno Tourism Federation, the Banpaku Fireworks Project Executive Committee, the Festa Luce Executive Committee, Hoshino Resorts, Kyowa Sangyo, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Drone Show Japan, REDCLIFF, Yamatane, Ashikaga Flower Resort, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and others (as of October 26, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team

A note from the publisher

The latest information on events produced by HITOHATA, INC. is available at HITOHATA, INC.’s event information. Inquiries about planning immersive shows and spatial productions are accepted through the company’s contact form.