Nozawa onsen fire festival
A spectacular festival where snow and flames dance wildly
Venue: Nagano Prefecture, Nozawa Onsen Village
When: 15 January each year
The Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival is one of Japan's three great fire festivals. The spectacular fire battle waged by men in their unlucky years overwhelms all who witness it.
Dates |
January 15 every year |
Opening Hours |
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
Location |
Nozawa Onsen Village, Nagano Prefecture (pictured below) |
Admission |
Free |
Official Website |
|
Nearest Station |
From Nagano Station: about 1 hour 15 minutes by bus From Togari-Nozawaonsen Station: about 20 minutes by bus |
Organizer |
Nozawa Onsen Tourism Association |
The festival's climax is the “Fire-Setting Battle”. For approximately one and a half hours, a fierce contest unfolds between men aged 42 and over, defending the enormous shrine hall standing over ten metres tall, and men aged 25 and under, along with ordinary villagers, who attack with torches seeking to set the hall ablaze. Once the battle concludes, the shrine is set alight, sending a colossal pillar of flame skyward, scorching the heavens. This magnificent spectacle is a purification ritual, burning away the impurities of the old year and heralding the dawn of the new.
This festival is particularly recommended for travellers interested in Japanese traditional culture and thrilling experiences. However, it is a sacred Shinto ritual, not merely an event.
Strict rules govern attendance, with numbers capped at approximately 4,800 for safety reasons. Day-trip viewing is not permitted, and access to the main venue is restricted to guests staying in Nozawa Onsen Village and local residents. It is best suited for those who understand the festival's significance and can participate with respect.
To enjoy the festival to the fullest, advance preparation is crucial. Particular attention must be paid to countering the cold, the crowds, and flying sparks.
Arrive early: While the festival's climax begins around 8:30 pm, the venue becomes extremely crowded. It's advisable to arrive in the vicinity a little earlier to acclimatise to the atmosphere. However, as you'll be waiting outdoors for a long time, ensure you are fully prepared for the cold.
Portable charger: The cold will drain your smartphone battery more quickly.
Small torch: The area around the venue is dark, and some ground may be frozen.
Cash: It's wise to have cash ready as some stalls may not accept card payments.
Mind your step: The venue is a snow-covered square. It is unpaved and slippery, making movement in wheelchairs or similar aids extremely difficult.
January nights in Nozawa Onsen plunge below freezing. Clothing is the most crucial element for enjoying the festival to the fullest.
The paramount considerations when selecting attire are “cold protection” and “fire safety”. As sparks fly during the climax, highly flammable synthetic fibre garments pose a significant hazard. Avoid expensive outerwear and participate in clothing that can withstand being torn.
Outerwear: Avoid synthetic fabrics like nylon, as sparks from the fire may cause them to melt. Choose flame-resistant materials such as wool or cotton, and be prepared for the possibility of small burn holes.
Innerwear: Layer up with warm, heat-retaining inner clothing.
Footwear: Waterproof, non-slip snow boots are a must.
Accessories: Don’t forget a hat, gloves, and a scarf to protect yourself from the cold.
Departure |
Approx. Travel Time |
Route |
Transfer Details |
Final Leg |
Tokyo |
About 2 hrs 30 min |
Hokuriku Shinkansen |
Tokyo Station → Nagano Station → Iiyama Station |
Direct Bus “Nozawa Onsen Liner” (25 min) or Local Bus (40 min) |
Nagoya |
About 4 hrs |
JR Chuo Line → Shinano Line |
Nagoya Station → Nagano Station → Iiyama Station |
|
Osaka |
About 4 hrs 30 min |
Thunderbird → Hokuriku Shinkansen |
Osaka Station → Tsuruga Station → Nagano Station → Iiyama Station |
The nearest station to Nozawa Onsen is Iiyama Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line.
From Iiyama Station, please take the direct bus service, the Nozawa Onsen Liner. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes.
Please note that there is no public transport service to Nozawa Onsen from Kamikyo Station or Togari-Nozawa Onsen Station on the JR Iiyama Line.
*Journey times may vary slightly depending on the operating period and stopping points.
If you are concerned about changing trains, we recommend the Meet & Greet service. It ensures smooth airport procedures and transport guidance, making it ideal for first-time travellers to Japan.
Nozawa Onsen is renowned not only as a ski resort but also as a long-established hot spring town. Thirteen public bathhouses are scattered throughout the village, allowing visitors to enjoy a hot spring tour. You can also savour local delicacies such as the famous Nozawa-na pickles and hot spring manju buns. Alongside the festival, we encourage you to enjoy exploring the village.
The Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Festival is one of Japan's three great fire festivals, boasting a history of approximately 300 years. Held annually on 15th January, it is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
The main attraction is the dramatic battle between villagers attempting to set fire to the shrine structure—crafted from a giant beech tree standing approximately 20 metres tall—and the 42-year-old and 25-year-old men, considered to be in unlucky years, who guard it.
The festival embodies various wishes, including a bountiful harvest, household safety, freedom from illness and disaster, and favourable marriages and safe childbirth.
The timetable is as follows.
13 January |
1:00 pm |
Sacred Tree Procession |
January 14 |
Until late night |
Shrine Assembly |
January 15 |
After noon |
Shrine Completion |
7:00 PM |
Fire Source Ceremony |
|
7:30 PM |
First Lantern Arrival |
|
8:00 PM |
Fireworks & Dosojin Taiko Drums |
|
8:30 PM |
Fire Source Arrival |
|
Lighting by the Head of the Nozawa Group, First Lantern Lighting, Children’s Lighting |
||
8:50 PM |
Adult Lighting |
|
10:00 PM |
Adult Lighting Concludes |
|
Continuing |
Dedication of the First Lantern |
Early accommodation booking: As staying overnight in the village is essential to view the festival, book your lodgings well in advance.
Arranging transport: For travelling across Japan, JR Pass offer convenience and value.
Internet connectivity: Pocket Wifi is indispensable for gathering information and staying in touch during your trip.
Q: Do you require a ticket?
A: Admission tickets will be issued only to guests staying at Nozawa Onsen who wish to view the event, and entry will be granted accordingly.
Q: Can it be seen on a day trip?
A: No, entry to the main venue is restricted to guests staying overnight in the village, so day-trip viewing is not possible.
Q: Is it permissible to bring alcohol into the venue?
A:No, bringing alcoholic beverages into the venue is prohibited.
Q: What time is the fire festival in Nozawa?
A:It begins at 7pm. The climactic fire-lighting will take place after 8:30pm.
Q: What is the Nozawa Fire Festival?
A:One of Japan's three great fire festivals, this is a magnificent fire festival held to pray for a bountiful harvest and ward off misfortune.
Q: Is there a fire festival in Japan?
A:Yes, Japan has a festival known as the “Fire Festival”.
For example, the “Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Fire Festival”, held annually on 15th January in Nozawa Onsen, Nagano Prefecture, is one of Japan's traditional festivals.
Q: How do I get to the Nozawa Fire Festival?
・From Tokyo to Iiyama Station via the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen (1 hour 40 minutes)
・From Iiyama Station to Nozawa Onsen via a direct bus (25 minutes)
If you are concerned about changing trains, we recommend the Meet & Greet service. It ensures smooth airport procedures and transport guidance, making it ideal for first-time travellers to Japan.
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