Designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset and recognized as one of Japan’s three great fire festivals, the Oniyo Festival at Daizenji Tamataregu Shrine has a history spanning over 1,600 years. Six massive torches—each about 1 meter in diameter and 13 meters long—are set ablaze and carried by loincloth-clad men using oak poles as they march powerfully around the main shrine.
The spectacle is breathtaking when seen up close. It’s believed that being showered with flying sparks brings good fortune and protection from illness. With flames lighting up the winter night sky, the festival is a dramatic and sacred rite of renewal for the coming year.
• 1/7 (Wed.) *rain or shine
• 13:00~23:10 *The fire will be lit around 20:40~
• Paid seating available: ¥2,000 (all seats unreserved)
• Daizenji Tamataregu Shrine
• 1463-1 Miyamoto, Daizenji-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• https://welcome-kurume.com/events/detail/
