On October 9, the Ashiya Sand Sculpture Exhibition Executive Committee announced that the "Ashiya Sand Sculpture Exhibition 2026" will be held from October 23 to November 8. The venue is a special site inside Ashiya Kaihin Park's Leisure Pool Aquasian in Ashiya Town, Fukuoka Prefecture.
The photo shows a sand sculpture from a past year. It is not a finished work from this year.
Landscapes from around the world, born from sand and water
The theme is "Beyond Time and Space: A Journey Around the World – The Soccer Kingdoms Made of Sand." Professional sand sculptors from Japan and abroad create works inspired by the world's leading soccer nations. The exhibition expresses each country's scenery, culture and soccer-related stories as sand sculptures.
Sand sculptures are made by packing sand down and carving it away bit by bit from the top. Besides artists from Japan and abroad, students and local groups also take part in making and running the exhibition, showcasing fine handwork.
Changing with light from the evening, with fireworks on weekends and more
The illumination starts around 18:00 every day. On weekdays, a "Sound and Light Show" is held at 19:00 and 20:00. However, opening day, October 23, has a different program.
On October 23, Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays, fireworks are launched in time with the 20:00 Sound and Light Show. A drone show is also planned for opening day. Re-entry is allowed on the same day, so you can see the sand sculptures in both their daytime and nighttime looks.
The night photo also shows a past performance.
Advance tickets until the day before opening, open until 21:00
The venue is open from 10:00 to 21:00, with last entry at 20:30. Day tickets are ¥800 for adults, ¥700 for ages 65 and over, ¥600 for people with disabilities and ¥400 for elementary and junior high school students. Preschool children enter free.
Advance tickets, on sale until October 22, are ¥600 for adults, ¥400 for people with disabilities and ¥300 for elementary and junior high school students. They are available through Lawson Ticket, Seven Ticket and eplus, as well as at counters such as the Ashiya Town Tourism Association.
- Dates: Friday, October 23 – Sunday, November 8, 2026
- Venue: Special site inside Ashiya Kaihin Park Leisure Pool Aquasian / 1455-284 Ashiya, Ashiya-machi, Onga-gun, Fukuoka
- Hours: 10:00–21:00, last entry 20:30
- Access: From JR Onkagawa Station, take the Ashiya Town Bus bound for Kaihin Park and get off at "Ashiya Kaihin Park Iriguchi," then walk 5 minutes. Free parking available
- Note: Pets are not allowed, except service dogs
Image: courtesy of the Ashiya Sand Sculpture Exhibition Executive Committee (Ashiya Town Tourism Association)
