Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Fire Festival

About this event

The Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Fire Festival is a heroic, traditional fire festival held every year on January 15 in Nozawaonsen Village, Nagano Prefecture, and is counted as one of Japan's three major fire festivals. It is the village's biggest annual event and is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. The highlight of the festival is the thrilling 'fire battle' between the villagers trying to set fire to the temporary shrine (shaden) and the men of unlucky ages (yakudoshi) who defend it. Carrying fire struck from flint using torches, they attempt to set ablaze the wooden shrine, which stands about 7 meters high and is assembled starting the day before. The men of unlucky ages fiercely contest the attack: 42-year-olds guard the top of the shrine, while 25-year-olds defend the base. The climax, where the shrine goes up in flames, is a breathtaking sight, burning away over the course of the night. This festival honors Dosojin, the deity protecting village boundaries and crossroads, to pray for marital ties, fertility, and the healthy growth of children. It is also said that eating mochi (rice cakes) toasted over the remaining embers brings good health for the year. Preparations begin in autumn; on January 13, the sacred beech tree is brought down from the mountain, and the shrine is constructed on January 14. Fireworks are also launched on the night of the festival, building further excitement. Highly popular among overseas tourists, it is an iconic winter tradition of Nozawa Onsen.

Venue

Nozawaonsen Village

Nozawaonsen Village, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture