Nov. 07, 2017 UPDATE

Hitaki-sai Fire Festival

- 火焚祭 -
Traveler Friendly
As the festival is magnificent to watch, foreign visitors can fully enjoy the festival without understanding Japanese.
Information
Japanese only
Languages spoken
Japanese only
PeriodNovember 8th, every year
VenueFushimi Inari Shrine
2652 6 --- 0 reviews
Nov. 07, 2017 UPDATE

Hitaki-sai Fire Festival

- 火焚祭 -
Traveler Friendly
As the festival is magnificent to watch, foreign visitors can fully enjoy the festival without understanding Japanese.
Information
Japanese only
Languages spoken
Japanese only
2652 6 --- 0 reviews
PeriodNovember 8th, every year
VenueFushimi Inari Shrine
Story & Recommendation
A fire ritual with rising magnificent bonfires at Fushimi Inari Shrine
Hitaki sai (fire festivals) is one of common sights in November in Kyoto. The festivals have originated in folk beliefs dating back to the Edo Period(1603-1868) and at the beginning of winter, fire festivals are held in shrines everywhere in Kyoto. In these festivals, bundles of prayer sticks with worshippers’ written wishes are set alight on a premise as a holy fire is believed to purge away people’s sins and to grant wishes. Among these festivals, Fushimi Inari Shrine’s Hitaki-sai Fire Festival is considered most overwhelming in the country. Surprisingly, about 100,000 prayer sticks are sent from worshippers in every region of Japan wishing for their good health and prosperity. The highlight is the ritual of throwing prayer sticks into holy bonfires with flame and smoke shooting up to the air. A huge blaze is absolutely stunning and worthwhile watching! A great number of spectators from all over Japan visit Fushimi Inari Shrine to attend this dynamic Hitaki sai on the festival day.
  • Sharing Kyoto Staff
    Reiko's Comment
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Details
Event time
The first ritual at the mail hall starts at 1:00 pm. The fire ritual starts from 2:00 pm. The throwing of prayer sticks introduced in this article can be seen doing this ritual. The Jincho-mai dance dedicated to a God is performed in front of the main hall from 6:00 pm.
Cancellations
It is a rain-or-shine event.
Price range
Credit cards
Not accepted
Please keep yourself warm during watching the festival as the venue is set outdoor and can be very cold.
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