Ikoma Taisha Fire Festival: Yoimiya Festival

About this event

The Yoimiya Festival of the Ikoma Taisha Fire Festival is held annually on the Saturday two days before Sports Day. In 2026, it is scheduled to be held on Saturday, October 10. At the Yoimiya Festival, sacred rituals and events will be conducted, starting with a kagura dedication from 15:00, the Yoimiya Festival and children's mikoshi event from 17:00, the Yoimiya fire and prayer wood burning from 18:00, and a miya-taiko drum dedication from 20:00 to 21:00. The main Fire Festival is held the next day on Sunday, October 11, where parishioner districts divide into North and South teams to compete in who can run down the seven-step stone stairway faster after receiving the burning torches lit with the sacred flame from the fire starters. The Yoimiya Festival builds up the festive atmosphere as the festival's eve with dedications of kagura, children's portable shrines, and more. Ikoma Taisha has been worshipped since ancient times as the deity of fire, and this Fire Festival is designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Ikoma City and Nara Prefecture.

Venue

Ikoma Taisha (Ikomani-imasu-Ikomatuhiko Shrine)

1527-1 Ichibucho, Ikoma, Nara 630-0222