Kurama Fire Festival 2026

• October 22, 2026 at 9:19 pm
  Event date:
• October 22, 2026 at 9:19 pm
  Event end:

Kyoto’s Blazing Night of Ancient Spirit

Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026, Location: Yuki Shrine (由岐神社), Kurama, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Time: From 9:00 AM (ceremonies start), main torch processions begin at 6:00 PM

Overview

The Kurama Fire Festival is one of Kyoto’s most spectacular traditional events, held annually on the evening of October 22. It honors the Yuki Daimyojin deity and commemorates its transfer from Kyoto’s Imperial Palace to Yuki Shrine in 970 CE.

This is a visually dramatic, fire-filled parade with men and children carrying blazing torches through the mountain village of Kurama, creating one of Japan’s most unforgettable nighttime scenes.

Event Schedule & Highlights

9:00 AM — Main Shrine Ceremony

• Ritual prayers and Gagaku (ancient court music) offered at Yuki Shrine.
• Deities Yuki Daimyojin and Yasho Daimyojin are enshrined into portable shrines (mikoshi).

6:00 PM — Torch Procession Begins

• A call of “祭礼、祭礼!” (“Sairei, Sairei!”) echoes as bonfires are simultaneously lit at every household.
• Children carry small torches, followed by young men with larger, flaming torches.

Evening Highlights

• Warrior Parade: Local men appear in samurai armor with clan emblems.
• Shimenawa-Kiri Ceremony: Sacred ropes are cut, marking the start of the mikoshi procession.
• Mikoshi Procession:
  • Deities carried downhill from the shrine on shoulder-borne mikoshi.
  • Young women pull ropes to slow the descent — believed to promote safe childbirth.
  • Warriors ride on top of the mikoshi.
  • At the Choppen no Gi, two young men cling upside down to the poles in a rite believed to be tied to old coming-of-age customs.

End of Festival (Late Evening)

• Sacred kagura dance performed at the Otabisho (temporary resting place).
• Giant kagura torches circled through the grounds to close the festival.

October 23

• Kankosai Ceremony: Return of the mikoshi to Yuki Shrine.

Location & Access

Yuki Shrine (由岐神社) 〒601-1111 京都府京都市左京区鞍馬本町1073 Phone: 075-741-1670 Official Website (JP)

Access

• From Kyoto Station:
  • Take the Eizan Electric Railway to Kurama Station (approx. 1 hour).
  • The shrine is a short walk from the station.
• Note:
  • Roads will be extremely crowded, and access by car is not recommended.
  • Trains may be overloaded, so plan to arrive well before 5 PM.

Visitor Tips

• Arrive early (by 3–4 PM) to secure good viewing spots.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes — the terrain includes stone steps and mountain paths.
• Bring a flashlight, as the area is quite dark after sunset.
• Some food stalls will be open, but limited — eat beforehand.
• Crowds can be dense, and the village is small, so expect congestion.
• Keep a safe distance from torches — they are real and very hot.

Admission

• Free (public viewing along the roads and shrine area)
• No reservations or tickets are required
• Please respect local customs and do not enter restricted areas

Video

Location