Niiharu Shrine Torch Festival

About this event

The "Torch Festival" held every year at Niiharu Shrine in Ikuji, Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture, is a traditional festival woven from heroic flames and portable shrines (mikoshi). The festival originates from a legend that on a summer night in 1454, fishermen on the verge of disaster in a sudden violent storm survived by relying on the "divine fire" blessed by Niiharu Shrine. It is said that following this event, burning torches became part of the autumn festival. At the climax of the festival, about 300 to 400 torches are lit, scorching the approach path to Niiharu Shrine, and 42-year-old men in their climacteric (yakudoshi) misfortune-prone year carry the portable shrine and run through the flames. Roofed boats carrying Ebisu and Daikoku as well as neighborhood roofed boats lead the procession, parading through town to the accompaniment of flute and drum festival music before entering Niiharu Shrine. The sight of the misfortune-cleansing young men carrying the mikoshi with brave shouts of "Otaccho" and dashing through the blazing torches in one breath is breathtaking. This heroic ritual encompasses fire-walking by men born in the current zodiac year, warding off bad luck, and prayers for maritime safety and bountiful catches. It has been selected as one of Toyama's Top 100 Festivals and designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kurobe City.

Venue

Niiharu Shrine

716 Ikuji, Ikuji, Kurobe, Toyama 938-0066