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- Event date:July 27, 2025 at 8:29 pm
- Event end:July 27, 2025 at 8:29 pm
Experience one of Japan’s most spectacular fire festivals at the Notojima Kōda Fire Festival, held annually on the last Saturday of July. This year, the festival is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Kōda-machi, located on Notojima Island in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, July 27, 2025
- Time: Festivities begin at 7:30 PM
- Location: Sakiyama Square, Kōda-machi, Notojima Island, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Admission: Free
- Access: Approximately 30 minutes by car from JR Nanao Station
- Contact: Nanao City Tourism Promotion Section – Tel: 0767-53-8424
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Festival Highlights
Mythical Origins
The festival commemorates the annual reunion of deities Iyahiko and Iyahime, symbolizing a celestial love story rooted in local legend. This narrative adds a spiritual dimension to the event, connecting the community with its cultural heritage.
Grand Torch Ceremony
A central feature of the festival is the erection and ignition of a towering 30-meter-tall conical torch, constructed from pine and brushwood. As night falls, participants circle the torch with handheld straw torches, culminating in a dramatic ignition that sends flames soaring into the sky.
Fortune Divination
The direction in which the burning torch falls is believed to predict the community’s fortune: a fall towards the mountains signifies a bountiful harvest, while a fall towards the sea foretells a prosperous fishing season.
Kiriko Lantern Procession
The festival also features a procession of Kiriko lanterns, large illuminated floats unique to the Noto Peninsula. Accompanied by traditional music from gongs, drums, and flutes, these lanterns are paraded through the streets, enhancing the festival’s vibrant atmosphere.
Cultural Significance
Recognized as one of Japan’s three major fire festivals, the Notojima Kōda Fire Festival is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset by Ishikawa Prefecture. It serves as a testament to the region’s rich traditions and the community’s dedication to preserving its cultural identity.
For more information and updates, please visit the official festival website.
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