The Onisube Shinji festival takes place at the beginning of each year inside the grounds of Dazaifu Tenmangu. The event, which is recognized as one of Japan’s three main fire festivals, welcomes visitors looking to pray for good fortune and ward off harm for the year ahead. One of the festival’s most spectacular rituals sees a group of participants dress up as ogres and hide inside one of the shrine’s buildings. A battle then unfolds between the onikeigo, a group charged with protecting them, and the subete, who are looking to drive out the demons from the precinct with smoke!
太宰府天満宮
・1/7 (Tue.)
・Free
・Dazaifu Tenmangu
・Dazaifu-shi, Fukuoka-ken
・092-922-8225
・http://www.dazaifutenmangu.or.jp/sanpai/saiten/special/onisube
